A CN Rail train went off the tracks west of Edmonton early Sunday morning, less than 100 kilometres from the scene of another derailment last month.
CN spokesperson Patrick Waldron said 13 cars of the eastbound train derailed at approximately 1 a.m., just east of Highway 32, near Peers, Alta. Twelve of the derailed cars were loaded with lumber, while one was carrying sulphur dioxide.
Waldon said the car carrying sulphur dioxide is upright and is not leaking. CN officials are at the scene of the derailment and an investigation is underway.
Waldon said there are no injuries or environmental concerns. He added there is no danger to the general public and residents near the site of the derailment have not been asked to evacuate.
Last month, a CN freight train carrying crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas derailed near Gainford, Alta. Approximately 100 residents were removed from their homes after two explosions were reported following the derailment. Authorities conducted a controlled burn of six of the 13 derailed cars containing liquefied petroleum gas before the evacuation order was lifted.
Waldon said he would not speculate on a connection between the two accidents.
“I’m not going to draw any conclusions,” he said. “We’re going to let those investigations run their course so we can determine exactly what happened, as we would with any incident on the railroad.”
With files from CTV Edmonton and the Canadian Press
