‘No waterways appear to be impacted’ after train carrying coal derails in South Surrey, B.C.

Cleanup is underway after a train carrying coal derailed in South Surrey Thursday evening. (B.C. Ministry of Environment and Parks)

British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment and Parks is responding to a spill in South Surrey after a train carrying coal derailed Thursday evening.

An incident summary published on the ministry’s website indicates it was notified by Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) of a derailment involving “20 coal cars.”

The first published update on the incident is from 9 a.m. Friday, but an exact time of the derailment is not specified.

In an email to CTV News, BNSF said the incident occurred shortly before 9:15 p.m. Thursday.

“There were no reported injuries to the crew and there is no hazmat release associated with this incident,” the railway’s statement reads.

The assertion that no hazardous materials were released appears to be contradicted by the ministry’s Friday evening update, which says “some coal has spilled as a result of the impact.”

A photo accompanying the update shows piles of coal next to the railroad tracks, which are themselves also partially covered by the black substance.

“The spilled coal appears to be contained within a drainage ditch on the south side of the tracks,” the update reads. “No waterways appear to be impacted.”

A map included in the ministry’s summary shows the location of the derailment as near the King George Boulevard overpass at Colebrook Road.

“There is a wetland in proximity to where the derailment occurred,” the ministry’s first update reads.

“BNSF’s spill response contractor, Nucor Environmental, (is) onsite to conduct an assessment.”

The ministry, the railway, the cities of Delta and Surrey, Transport Canada, Metro Vancouver and the Tsawwassen and Semiahmoo First Nation are all listed as involved in the response to the spill.

“BNSF crews are on site stockpiling the spilled coal. Mitigation measures are in place for stockpile management,” the ministry said.