(The following article by Laurie Welch was posted on the Twin Falls Times-News website on January 6.)
MINIDOKA, Idaho — Seven cars in a 47-car train tumbled off the track near Minidoka on Wednesday, spilling 300 gallons of diesel fuel.
No one was injured.
The accident occurred at 12:43 p.m. at the railroad yard in Minidoka, said Union Pacific Railroad spokesman Mark Davis.
Minidoka County Sheriff Deputy Lieutenant Dan Kindig said the fuel leak was contained by Northside Fire Protection shortly after the crash.
He said the fuel leak came from a tank that runs the refrigeration unit on one of the cars.
All seven of the cars that derailed were refrigerated box cars. Three of the seven ended up on their sides and the leaked fuel came from one of those.
“There was minor damage,” Davis said.
Davis said Union Pacific Railroad has hired an environmental contractor to soak up the fuel, and the task should be completed by today.
“All the cars have been picked up today,” Davis said.
Kindig said a traffic crossing on the west side of town was blocked by the train during the accident, creating a concern about emergency vehicle access.
The railroad cars blocking the crossing were unhooked from the train restoring traffic flow shortly after the crash, Kindig said.
Davis said all 47 of the cars were empty and the train was headed from North Platte, Neb., to Nampa.
The cause of the wreck is still under investigation.