A CN derailment of a single tanker car could have turned out much worse when a wheel of the car popped off the rail, however, the train was stopped before broken parts caused further damage.
The freight train derailment on the CN rail line between Miniota and Hamiota, stopped traffic on Hwy 24, Monday morning at about 11:00 a.m.
About three kms east of Arrow River, the track obliquely crosses Hwy 24. Miniota Fire Department was called to the scene to act as traffic control until Manitoba Highways arrived.
With the tanker carrying ethylene glycol (component of antifreeze) an environmental team responded to the incident.
Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste and even in small quantities, it is toxic to animals and to humans (www.merckvetmanual.com) However, the tanker remained intact and upright.
In a statement from CN, Jonathan Abecassis explains, “CN crews are responding to a minor derailment involving one car derailing upright on a CN train east of Miniota, Man. There are no leaks, exposures or injuries. The car contains EthyIene Glycol, a common industrial product.”
Highway 24 was blocked for most of the day but re-opened about 5:30 p.m. Monday.
“CN apologizes for the inconvenience this has caused,” said Abecassis. The cause of he incident is under investigation.
