Investigation underway after train carrying potash derails near Alberta-B.C. border

Canadian Pacific Railway says an investigation is underway after one of its freight trains derailed in the Crowsnest Pass late Friday afternoon.

In an email, the company told Global News the incident occurred just east of the border between Alberta and B.C. at about 5 p.m. local time.

“There were no injuries to the crew,” CP Rail said. “CP immediately deployed resources to the site.

“The cause of the incident is under investigation.”

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The company said the train was carrying potash and added that there were no dangerous goods involved.

In an email to Global News, a spokesperson for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) said the agency was told “at least 20 cars derailed near Crowsnest Lake near Coleman, Alta.” The TSB later updated that number to 48.

Two of the locomotives came off the tracks but remained upright, the TSB said.

The Crowsnest Pass Herald reported that five cars fell into Crowsnest Lake.

The TSB confirmed the derailment resulted in no injuries and did not involve dangerous goods. The government agency said that while it is “assessing,” as of Friday night it did not have plans to deploy personnel to the scene.

“We will be monitoring the situation via telephone,” a spokesperson said.