(The Associated Press circulated the following story on May 17.)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A freight train derailed early Saturday, forcing 14 refrigerated boxcars off the track, with two cars landing in the Missouri River, authorities said.
Authorities managed to contain about 500 gallons of diesel fuel that spilled when two of the cars slid down an embankment and into the river, said Mike Rackers, chief of Cole County’s Hazardous Materials Response Team.
He said the fuel, which was used to operate the refrigeration units of the boxcars, didn’t appear to pose any danger to the river or the water supply.
Kathy White, spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Transportation, said Amtrak service across Missouri would be halted Saturday and possibly Sunday because of the derailment.
The Union Pacific train was traveling from North Platte, Neb., to East St. Louis, Ill., when the vegetable-laden boxcars jumped the tracks in the capital at 6:30 a.m., said Mark Davis, Union Pacific spokesman. He said the cause of the accident was under investigation.
Davis said two of the cars were half submerged. Eight other cars were on their sides next to the track and four were upright.
No injuries were reported, and Davis said it was unclear how long the track would be closed during cleanup. He said about 800 feet of track needed to be replaced.