...By Muyiwa Aderinto for TDPel Media.
Train Derails into Mississippi River
A train carrying lithium batteries derailed into the Mississippi River in southwest Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon, injuring four people.
The train was operated by BNSF and was carrying “freight of all kinds”. The four individuals who were injured sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Train Cars Submerged in the River
Video footage obtained by Spectrum News Wisconsin shows several toppled train cars, with many of them being submerged in the Mississippi River.
Photos also show at least one car floating in the river. According to Facebook page ‘Crawford County WI Scanner’, the train’s contents were mostly lithium batteries and paint.
BNSF Confirms Train Derailment
A spokesperson for BNSF confirmed that one of its trains was involved in the derailment.
The statement released by BNSF said, “Two of the three locomotives and an unknown number of cars carrying freight of all kinds are reported to be derailed on the bluff side of the Mississippi River.”
BNSF personnel are en route to the scene and the cause of the incident is under investigation.
Response from Local Emergency Management
Marc Myhre from Crawford County Emergency Management reported that around 20 cars had derailed from the tracks.
He confirmed that some of the responders were injured, but the hazardous materials on the train were contained and were not considered a concern to the public or the responders.
Fire crews were also working on setting up barriers in the river to prevent the spreading of oil, gas or paint.
