(Canoe.ca posted the following Canadian Press article on February 19.)
RED DEER — A train derailmaent and chemical spill that led to the death of one man and the evacuation of 1,300 people was caused in part by inadequately tightened rails, says a report by the Transportation Safety Board.
Five Canadian Pacific Railway cars left the tracks in Red Deer on Feb. 2, 2001, spilling more than 71 tonnes of anhydrous ammonia.
Thirty-four people were checked for exposure concerns and were treated and released.
However, one man who happened to be walking by the tracks at the time was overcome by fumes and found unconscious near the spill site. Michael Jackson, 53, died four months later from respiratory injuries.
The safety board determined the tracks widened due to the weight of the train at the point of derailment, causing the cars to jump the track at the Red Deer CPR yard.
Cracks were also found in the tracks because bolts connecting the rails were not adequately tightened.
The investigation also found that the ruptured tank car was not properly welded at the time of construction near its top dome.
“We don’t believe we’ve left any stone unturned and there’s been responsible action,” said Art Nordholm, senior investigator in charge of the safety board investigation.
Since the accident, Canadian Pacific says it has improved its track inspection procedures.
Previously, only mainline tracks and mainline sidelines were inspected with specialized equipment to detect internal flaws, the report says. Now all sidelines are inspected twice a year with the equipment.
“In this case, we took the initiative to put in place improved inspection procedures,” said CPR spokesman Darcie Park.
“The goal of this kind of inspection is to catch the problem early.”
The report also expressed concern that anhydrous ammonia, the chemical substance spilled, is no longer classified as toxic.
The leak cost the City of Red Deer more than $500,000 in emergency costs.