Calgary first responders are on scene of a freight train derailment in which several train cars have gone into a body of water in the city’s southwest, according to a message to media issued by Calgary police.
The train derailed along the Canadian Pacific Kansas City line, near Sheriff King Street S.W. south of Stoney Trail.
A number of boxcars and tanker cars could be seen partly submerged in the Priddis Slough, a large wetland sandwiched between Silverado and Chapparal.
Traffic in the area of Shawville Gate, particularly near the Somerset-Bridlewood CTrain station, may be affected, police said.
“Due to safety concerns at this time, we are asking the public to avoid the area,” the message read.
A CPKC spokesperson confirmed the derailment occurred just south of Stoney Trail after 7:30 a.m. and involved 13 train cars, which were carrying a mix of lumber, plywood, propane and argon.
“Calgary emergency officials on scene are reporting there are no indications of any leaks from the tanker cars,” the spokesperson said in an email. “Additional CPKC crews are responding to the scene to begin a clean-up.”
The crew aboard the train was not injured and the cause of the incident is under investigation, the email added.
More to come …
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