Train cars plunge into Yellowstone River
COLUMBUS, Mont. — A bridge that crosses Yellowstone River in Montana collapsed early Saturday morning, causing portions of a freight train carrying hazardous materials to plunge into the flooded river, officials said.
The train cars were carrying asphalt and sulfur, said David Stamey, Stillwater County’s chief of emergency services. Officials shut down drinking water intakes downstream while they evaluated the danger. An Associated Press reporter witnessed a yellow liquid pouring out of tank cars.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that sulfur is a common element used as a fertilizer as well as an insecticide, fungicide and rodenticide.
Stamey said there was no immediate danger for the crews working at the site, and the hazardous material was being diluted by the swollen river.
The train crew was safe and no injuries were reported, said Andy Garland, spokesman for the Montana Rail Link.
Garland said several tank cars were partially submerged in the river early Saturday, and railroad crews were at the scene in Stillwater County, near the town of Columbus and about 40 miles west of Billings. The site is in a sparsely populated area in the Yellowstone River Valley — about 110 miles northeast of Yellowstone National Park.
“We are committed to addressing any potential impacts to the area as a result of this incident and working to understand the reasons behind the accident,” Garland said.
In neighboring Yellowstone County, officials said they instituted emergency measures at water treatment plants because of the “potential hazmat spill” and asked residents to conserve water.
The cause of the collapse is under investigation, Garland said. The river was swollen with recent heavy rains, although it is unclear whether that contributed to the bridge collapse.