July 30, 2008

Stolen road construction equipment left on tracks derails CN train

Edmonton

A train derailment occurred east of Edmonton after a piece of road construction equipment was deliberately placed on railway tracks.

A CN train was travelling west and crossing an overpass on Highway 16 in the early morning of July 10, when it struck a pavement packer.

The impact caused the train to jump off the tracks and land on the north side of the highway.

Two engines and 13 of 85 cars on the train derailed.

Fuel spilled from the train and caught fire, but fortunately, the fire was quickly extinguished.

The two people on the train were able to escape without injury.

Police are investigating how the pavement packer got onto the railroad tracks and said they believe the paving machine was stolen from a construction site about 300 metres west of the incident.

Officials will inspect the overpass to ensure the derailment didn’t cause any structural damage.

JOC News Service

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