The Deaver family's backyard looks like a tornado came through. Robert Deaver, II, says Wednesday morning, CSX crews were trimming trees, to clear the right of way, along the track behind his home on Gospel Street in McColl.
Deaver says they went above and beyond with the trimming and destroyed their pecan and red tip trees.
"I'm not sure what the machine they used to cut this rip, but it didn't cut it, it ripped, it tore, it's basically destroyed trees and all the shrubbery throughout the railroad track," said Robert Deaver, II.
He says they left behind a sea of debris and part of his fence is damaged.
Deaver says he has called the Florence and Hamlet, NC offices of CSX, but could not get an answer. He finally got in touch with someone from 877-TELL-CSX. Deaver says he was told to file a claim, but feels he shouldn't have to do that paper work.
"That's not my responsibility. They destroyed what I and many other families in this town have worked to have. We don't have a lot but what we have is ours, " said Deaver.
Carla Groleau, with CSX media relations, says they plan to investigate this incident once a claim is filed.
She says often times when crews are trimming trees, they usually go back after a day or two to clean up any debris.
Groleau says she can't speak specifically to Deaver's incident, but says when crews trim trees to clear the right of way for better visuals, it's never their intention to destroy property.
Groleau adds in the event that happens, they ask property owners to file a claim and they'll assign a claims agent to investigate to see what can be done to take care of the problem.
