PORT EDWARD, British Columbia — A mudslide derailed a Canadian National train on the railroad’s line to Prince Rupert, B.C., on Monday, March 16.
The CBC reports the derailment occurred about 12:45 p.m. CN told the broadcaster that the train’s crew ‘exited the locomotive safely and are being attended to by local first responders.” No hazardous materials were involved and there is no danger to the public, the railroad said. In a subsequent email, CN said one locomotive and 27 cars had derailed.
The derailment is about 22 kilometers (13.6 miles) southeast of Prince Rupert. CNFR Radio reports the First Nations Lax Kw’alaams Band placed it on their territory, about 2 track miles east of the North Pacific Cannery. The cannery is a national historic site. CNFR’s website has a photo of a string of overturned grain hoppers on the riverbank.
The derailment came in an area that was experiencing a major winter storm, with some residents ordered to evacuate and up to 600 customers without power as of Monday afternoon. The CBC reports that on Tuesday evening, the Gitxsan Huwlip Government called for all rail traffic to be suspended because of the conditions until government officials can guarantee it is safe.
— Updated March 18 at 8 a.m. CT with additional information. To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
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