Train derails after mudslide in northern B.C.

A freight train locomotive and several cars were knocked off the tracks along the Skeena River.

Several train cars derailed in northern British Columbia on Monday following a mudslide that struck during a period of soggy weather along the coast.

CN Rail confirmed the derailment happened around 12:45 p.m. near the community of Port Edward, south of Prince Rupert.

“Preliminary reports indicate that several empty grain hopper cars have derailed in various positions, as well as the lead locomotive,” the company said in a statement.

“The crew exited the locomotive safely and are being attended to by local first responders.”

The Transportation Safety Board said the incident was reported late Monday afternoon, and that staff were “assessing the occurrence and collecting information” as of early Tuesday morning.

Investigators had not been deployed to the crash site, a spokesperson told CTV News.

There were no “dangerous commodities, leaks or exposures” as a result of the derailment, according to CN Rail.