RCMP to probe 2019 fatal train derailment

The RCMP'S major crime unit has opened an investigation into a Canadian Pacific Railway crash after allegations of a coverup surrounding the 2019 derailment that killed three employees.

The crash, which occurred on Feb. 4 in Field, B.C, was the result of cold weather conditions that caused the air brakes to lose pressure. There were no additional handbrakes and the train rolled down the mountain, reaching speeds of 80 km/h before it crashed into the Kicking Horse River.

Engineer Andrew Dockrell, 56, conductor Dylan Paradis, 33, and trainee Daniel Waldenberger-bulmer, 26, were all killed.

The RCMP investigation follows a Fifth Estate report that detailed a series of issues surrounding the derailment and allegations of a coverup from a former CP employee.

The employee, a former Canadian Pacific Police Service (CPPS) officer who was involved in the case, told the CBC program that he quit because he was being obstructed. He said he believes there is a coverup. CP denies the claim.

“We went to them ( the B.C. Prosecution Service) and just had a discussion with them about the potential for a criminal investigation, and they agreed with us that potentially there could be some criminality here and that it warranted further investigation,” RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet told the CBC.

Federal safety and labour investigations were conducted into the crash and it was investigated by CP'S own federally authorized CPPS; the RCMP investigation is the first outside police involvement.

In its report, The Fifth Estate says CP kept trains running despite extreme cold weather conditions and inadequate precautions. The extreme weather means that the dangerous mountain pass has seen 26 derailments and runaways in 26 years.

“This is going to be a complex investigation,” said Shoihet.

“CP will cooperate with the RCMP on this investigation,” said company spokesman Jeremy Berry to the CBC.

While the Mounties are not giving away details as to what they are going to be investigating, they did say they had received formal complaints from a family member, Pam Fraser, requesting an investigation into criminal negligence and obstruction.

Fraser, who is the mother of Paradis, is pleased the RCMP is now involved, saying “we couldn't be happier.”

“This particularly was completely preventable. Never should have happened this way. So to get answers — we could get closure. That's huge,” she said to CBC.