United States: A freight train carrying dangerous chemicals plunged into the Yellowstone River in Montana, United States. There are no reports of injuries and casualties.
This accident happened on early Saturday. Authorities say the freight train was carrying hot asphalt and molten sulphur. Some eyewitnesses told reporters that they saw a yellow material coming out of the wagons.
David Stamey, chief of Stillwater County’s emergency services (where the accident happened) said the dangerous material was being diluted by the swollen river. He also said there were three asphalt cars and four sulphur-carrying cars in the river.
The crash site is 40 miles west of Billings and near Columbus. The area adjoining the crash site is sparsely populated and there are farmlands and ranches around.
The Yellowstone River flows from Yellowstone Park, 110 miles away in the southwest.
Preventing adverse impact
Montana Rail Link spokesman Andy Garland told reporters, “We are committed to addressing any potential impacts to the area as a result of this incident and working to understand the reasons behind the accident.” He also said that molten sulphur and asphalt solidify quickly in cooler temperatures.
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Associated Press says the authorities shut down drinking water takes downstream while assessing the danger after the incident.
Cause of accident
Authorities are still trying to understand the cause of the freight train accident on Yellowstone River.
Robert Shea, a retired professor of engineering from the University of Berkley says that rushing waters put immense pressure on the piers supporting the bridge. Waters of a swollen river also erode its bed and weaken the foundations of the bridge.
Shea said he needs to study the maintenance history of the broken bridge before arriving at any conclusion. Rust may also have caused the crash of the bridge, Shea told Associated Press.
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