Freight train derails in Mississippi RIVER: Massive pileup sees containers of lithium batteries and paint float on river, injuring at least four
- Four people were injured after a train derailed in the Mississippi River
- At least two connected cars entered the river and drifted downstream
- The train was operated by BNSF and carried lithium batteries and paint
Four people were injured Thursday afternoon after a train carrying lithium batteries and paint derailed in the Mississippi River in southwestern Wisconsin.
The derailment occurred in Ferryville, south of the Lansing Bridge, at about 12:15 a.m., the train’s engineer BNSF confirmed, and caused at least two cars to drift downstream.
The four injured were not seriously injured, according to the local station WXOW.
Marc Myhre, of Crawford County Emergency Management, told the station about 20 cars had derailed off the tracks and two cars coupled together drifted downstream from the derailment.
He said firefighters were recovering the containers and erecting barriers in the river to prevent the spread of oil, gas or paint.
Four people were injured Thursday afternoon when a train derailed in the Mississippi River in southwestern Wisconsin
“It has been reported to us that there were hazardous materials on the train itself, but it is not believed that the public or emergency responders are concerned at this time as those cars were contained,” Myhre said.
He confirmed that some aid workers had been injured but did not know how many or what condition they were in.
Video recorded by Caitlin Nolan and obtained by Spectrum News Wisconsin showed a number of overturned train cars, many of which had submerged in the Mississippi River.
Facebook page ‘Crawford County WI Scanner’ also reported that the contents of the train consisted mainly of lithium batteries and paint.
A BNSF spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com that one of its trains was involved in the derailment.
“BNSF Railway can confirm that a train derailed near De Soto, Wisconsin (about 30 miles south of La Crosse) on April 27 at approximately 12:15 a.m. local time,” they wrote.
Firefighters were setting up a barrier in the river to prevent the spread of oil, gas or paint
Marc Myhre, of Crawford County Emergency Management, told WXOW the cars were mostly carrying lithium batteries and paint
U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden released a statement saying members of his staff attended the scene of the crash “to get answers to what happened”
They added, “Two of the three locomotives and an unknown number of cars carrying all kinds of freight reportedly derailed on the steep side of the Mississippi River. The main track is blocked in both directions and an estimated time for the track to reopen is not available.
“Crew members are accounted for, one of whom will receive a medical evaluation. Local first responders are on scene. BNSF has personnel en route to the crime scene and the cause of the incident is being investigated.”
BNSF would not confirm whether batteries and paint were in the cars.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers confirmed the derailment, saying his office was cooperating with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Department of Natural Resources.
“I will actively monitor this incident as we await further confirmed details,” he wrote.
U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden released a statement saying members of his staff attended the scene of the crash “to get answers to what happened.”