Township tells derailment story

Township Emergency Coordinator, Jim Harris updated Cramahe Council at its April 7 meeting about events surrounding the March 21 train derailement near Blyth Park Road in Cramahe Township.

His story follows:

On Saturday 21 March 2009 at about 5:30AM, six cars of an eastbound C.N. Train derailed near Blyth Park Rd. The train was a total of 137 cars and the six that derailed were towards the rear.

Of the six cars that derailed, two were empty flatbed cars, two were tankers that just jumped the tracks, carrying some form of liquid plastic. The other two cars came right off the tracks and tipped over. One burrowed into the ground about 4 feet deep. These two cars were each carrying 116 tonnes of molten naphthalene. Naphthalene is a hazardous material that is easily ignited and difficult to extinguish. It causes respiratory problems if inhaled, and is an irritant to the skin. It is a carcinogenic.

At 7:30AM the O.P.P. called Cramahe Township Fire Department, which responded. Cramahe Public Works Director, Barry Thrasher, was also contacted by the O.P.P. and he initiated contact for the Emergency Control Group.

Mayor Marc Coombs, Chief Administrative Officer Christie Alexander, Mr. Thrasher, Fire Chief Gary Cammack, and Mr. Harris attended at the scene.

Issues such as scene containment, evacuation, media contact, and first responder safety were all discussed.

C.N. Railways Dangerous Goods Officer arrived at the scene, inspected the cars that had derailed and formulated the plan that CN would use to clear the rails.

There was a very minor leak, which was captured in a bucket. There was no environmental damage, or danger to residents.

Cramahe Fire stood by until the cars were secured, then left the scene. They returned when the derailed cars were being removed from the scene.

The Fire Department was on scene for a total of approximately 8 hours.

We (the township) will be looking into the possibility of some cost recovery from Canadian National Railways.