Train cars carrying crude oil derail in Coalhurst, Alta.: fire official

Canadian Pacific continues to investigate after train cars carrying crude oil derailed Friday night at the Kipp Rail Yard in Coalhurst, Alta., just west of Lethbridge.

The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. when six cars went off the tracks with one leaking oil.

RCMP closed part of Highway 3 just before midnight, while CP implemented its emergency response protocols mobilizing teams to assess the situation.

There were no injuries reported or threats to public safety and the highway re-opened less than an hour later.

In a statement, Martin Cej, CP’s assistant vice-president of public affairs and communications said: “We take this incident extremely seriously, and will be focused on safety as we continue to deal with this incident… All required notifications have been made and an investigation into the incident is ongoing. One car leaked a minimal amount of its contents. The leak was quickly closed. The focus is now on clean-up and returning the site to the same condition or better.”

There’s still no word on what caused the derailment or how long cleanup will take.

A Coalhurst, Alta. fire official had told Global News a train derailment that occurred in the town on Friday saw six cars carrying crude oil go off the tracks.

One of the cars was leaking, according to Fire Chief Mat Conte.

The derailment occurred within town limits. The cars are located in the Kip rail yard and Conte said there are no reports of any injuries and no emergency action was being taken.

View image in full screen

“Initial reports are that approximately six cars derailed, four are upright,” the company said. “There were no injuries and no threat to public safety.

“CP immediately implemented its emergency response protocols and mobilized teams to the site,” the company added. “We take this incident extremely seriously, and will be focused on safety as we continue to deal with this incident.”

CP Rail said “all required notifications have been made” and that an investigation is ongoing into what happened.

Coalhurst has a population of 2,623 according to the 2016 Census.

The town is located about 11 to 12 kilometres northwest of Lethbridge.