Governor Mike Dewine ‘injured’ on East Palestine tour as calls mount for his resignation
Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine was injured during a tour of East Palestine, where a train derailment led to the release of hazardous materials earlier this month.
Mr DeWine suffered a displaced distal fibula fracture above his ankle during the tour of the community last week amid calls for his resignation over his handling of the crisis.
The governor’s office told Fox 8 Cleveland that Mr DeWine will have to wear a walking boot for the next several weeks.
Mr DeWine told the Columbus Dispatch that his “foot caught on something” as he walked down the stairs of the First Church of Christ on Tuesday.
“I’m fine,” he told the paper on Sunday. “I’m just not walking my dog as much.”
A health assessment clinic has been set up at the church following the 3 February train derailment.
Both the governor and the Environmental Protection Agency were the subjects of protests at the weekend, with Mr DeWine facing calls that he leaves his role.
The EPA has told the train company, Norfolk Southern, to “temporarily pause” the shipping of waste to disposal areas located in Michigan and Texas, according to Newsweek.
Lawmakers and worried residents outside of Ohio have urged the EPA to dispose of the waste in the state. The EPA said on Sunday that the waste would now be handled at two sites within the state and noted that it has “decades of experience dealing with hazardous waste”.
The federal agency took charge of the handling of the waste over the weekend after Norfolk Southern had previously been “solely responsible”.
After the derailment, toxic chemicals were found in the soil near the site of the crash and in waterways in the area.
Following the lifting of an evacuation order, returning residents have reported experiencing symptoms connected to being exposed to toxic chemicals; and those living in the area with private wells have been told to drink bottled water.
Mr DeWine visited the area when the evacuation order ended on 8 February. He hasn’t declared the incident to be an emergency or a disaster, limiting the federal response.
On Saturday, protesters gathered at the Ohio governor’s mansion in Bexley, east of Columbus, chanting “Mike must resign”.
The EPA has said that the shipping of waste would start again on Monday, with some liquid waste being taken to an underground injection well in Vickery, Ohio and some solid waste to an incinerator in East Liverpool.
Fifth region administrator Debra Shore said during a press briefing on Sunday that “all of this is great news for the people of East Palestine and the surrounding community because it means clean-up can continue at a rapid pace”.
“We owe it to East Palestine and residents nearby to move waste out of the community as quickly as possible,” she added.
She noted that further possible disposal sites were being sought.
