Train carrying potash derails near Hope, B.C., CN Rail reports
No injuries after at least 60 cars come off rails, company says
CN Rail says at least 60 railcars carrying potash derailed Monday near Hope, B.C.
The company says no injuries, fires or dangerous goods were involved. It says preliminary information indicates the cars derailed off of a rail bridge.
CN has sent a team of environmental experts and an outside contractor to the site of the derailment because it says several cars wound up in the water.
Hope Mayor Peter Robb, who notes he was alerted to the derailment soon after 6 a.m. Monday morning, says containment booms have been put in place where some potash spilled into the water.
"CN's on site and doing the best they can to get things organized and cleaned up as quickly as possible," said Robb.
He says the train included approximately 200 railcars, and of the 60 that derailed, 20 were open and spilled.
The mayor says there's no impact to the general public, and the derailment has not made him concerned about the safety of train operations in the area.
CN says the cause of the incident is under investigation.
The Transportation Safety Board says it will gather information and assess what happened in the derailment.
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With files from BC Today