The Associated Press reported that four people were hurt, including one who suffered serious injuries, when a Norfolk Southern Corp freight train derailed and struck a loading facility at a coal preparation plant in southern West Virginia.

Mr Robin Chapman a spokesman of Norfolk Southern said that while the most seriously injured victim's injuries are not considered life threatening, they were serious enough for him to be airlifted to a hospital.

Mr Chapman added that three of the victims work at the plant in Wharncliffe and the fourth is a Norfolk Southern conductor, who suffered minor injuries.

Ms Jama Jarrett a spokeswoman for the state Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training said that other victims were taken to an area hospital for evaluation of what appeared to be minor injuries after being pulled from a damaged building at the Black Bear Preparation Plant in Mingo County.

The plant is operated by a subsidiary of Abingdon West Virginia based coal producer Alpha Natural Resources. It employs about 30 people, according to government records.

(Sourced from Associated Press)