Highway 18 west of Carnduff to the junction of Highway 9 in southeastern Saskatchewan remains closed after a Canadian Pacific Railway freight train derailed adjacent to the highway. Emergency crews have contained an oil leak on one tank leaking crude oil.
The accident happened late last night at a crossing several kilometres east of Oxbow, Sask., after a collision with a pick-up truck.
Kevin Hrysak of CPR says 22 cars of the 81-unit eastbound train left the tracks. He says the driver of the vehicle hit the 18th car, which started the derailment.
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Hrysak says eight of the derailed cars are on their side, but there’s no danger to the public and no indication that any of the cargo has leaked onto private property.
“I know there were initial suggestions out there that six to eight cars were leaking, but after their assessment in daylight this morning it was found that only one car was leaking product which was already contained by first responders and CP operations personnel upon arrival,” he says.
It’s believed the 20-year-old driver of the vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Hrysak says CPR police and the RCMP are still investigating the incident of what led the pick-up truck to enter the crossing, and it’s undetermined whether charges will be laid.
