TORONTO — More than 50 homes were evacuated and a woman was killed in Brantford early this morning after a van drove into a freight train used to transport flammable materials, the Toronto Star reported.
Police say the Rail America train was stopped at a level crossing on Stanley St., near the Rawdon St. bridge, at 1:18 a.m. when the van crashed and derailed eight cars. The operators, unaware of the accident that had just occurred, started and continued along the line until the van struck the bridge and burst into flames.
Emergency crews evacuated homes in the area after discovering that the train had been carrying butane and butylane, two highly flammable chemicals.
Police and Transport Canada are investigating the cause of the accident. A spokesperson with Brantford Police said there were no gates or barriers at the crossing but the train’s flashing lights and bells were operational.