Gatineau, Quebec, 8 January 2014 – The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed a team of investigators to the site of a derailment involving Canadian National Railway (CN) mixed freight train. Initial reports indicate that 17 cars have derailed. Among them are propane cars, crude oil cars, a locomotive and a hopper car. There have been reports of explosions. TSB investigators are expected to arrive at the site around mid-day and will begin gathering information.
The site is currently under the control of the local fire department. TSB investigators will access the site when it is safe to do so. The team will evaluate the accident and document the derailment site, inspect the equipment and track infrastructure and identify any items that may require closer inspection. They will examine the maintenance history of the train, operation of the equipment and operation policies, meteorological conditions, and review any human factors. The team has already begun gathering documentary information about the train, its consist, and the contents of cars.
The TSB will provide an update on the deployment as new information becomes available.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
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For more information:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Media Relations
819-994-8053
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