Derailment in Montana sends at least 7 boxcars into the Yellowstone River
At least seven cars on a freight train plunged into Montana’s Yellowstone River on Saturday after a derailment and bridge collapse, sending asphalt and molten sulfur into the water, authorities said.
Officials were investigating whether the bridge derailment or collapse happened first, and how much of the cargo had spread into the river. What led to the derailment was not immediately known, officials said.
The railcars, operated by Montana Rail Link, derailed around 6:45 a.m. local time as they headed west in Stillwater County, the county’s Disaster and Emergency Services division. said on Facebook.
Andy Garland, a Montana Rail Link spokesman, said no one was injured. Mr. Garland said two cars were carrying sodium hydrosulfate, but neither had entered the water or been breached.
Three hot asphalt cars and four molten sulfur cars were in the river, officials said. Both substances were described as ‘slow-moving’.
David Stamey, the chief of emergency services in Stillwater County, said over the phone that both spills quickly solidified in the water. That means the potential harmful effects on the environment could be limited, especially if the spread is contained, he said.
A total of ten train cars derailed, Mr Stamey said. The derailment occurred between Reed Point and Columbus, in an area about an hour west of Billings.
Referring to the cars, the Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office said that “by a great stroke of luck, not a single oil was contained.” Officials said there was no expected impact from hazardous materials on the province’s cities.
The Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services Department said there were no “adverse impacts” as of early Saturday afternoon.
Video from the scene showed the collapsed bridge with train cars peeking above the rushing water. It was not immediately clear when the bridge was built or when it was last inspected.
Mr Garland said Montana Rail Link was “committed to address potential impacts to the area resulting from this incident and to understand the reasons behind the accident.”
In Yellowstone County, which has a population of about 167,000, officials said they plan to shut off water intakes for as long as it might be necessary to allow material to pass through Billings.
Similar measures were taken at water treatment plants in Stillwater County, which is home to about 9,000 people.
Officials advised residents “are aware of the situation and are prepared to act should anything change.”
The Montana derailment came about four months after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in eastern Ohio, sparking a fire that engulfed the city of eastern Palestine. The derailment led to concerns about the health of residents and the environment.