The driver of a semi-trailer truck was charged last week in connection
with a train and truck collision May 2 near Firdale, Man.
The collision between the semi-trailer and the Canadian National
Railway train forced at least 170 area residents to evacuate their
homes.
Anthine Calvin LeFait of Austin, Man., has been charged under the
Highway Traffic Act with disobeying a railway crossing sign by
proceeding before safe to do so.
He is scheduled to appear in provincial court June 5.
The collision at an uncontrolled intersection derailed several train
cars, including four containing benzene and one with hexane.
The collision resulted in a toxic fire that lasted two days. A
temporary dike was built around the crash site to prevent chemical
runoff while firefighters and water bombers worked to extinguish the
blaze.
