A bridge spanning the Yellowstone River in Montana collapsed Saturday morning as a freight train fell into water filled with dangerous substances. Authorities have closed downstream drinking water intakes as they assess the danger of the accident.
An initial assessment indicates that of the cars that fell into the water, four contained molten sulfur and three others contained molten asphalt, materials that solidify quickly when exposed to lower temperatures, according to Montana Rail Link (MRL), the railroad company.
The train also had two carriages carrying sodium hydrosulfate, but according to the company, none of them fell into the water. An initial air quality assessment has confirmed that there are no leaks associated with these two carriages.
“The current focus of operations is to respond safely to the emergency, control all losses and mitigate impacts. During the response, MRL will work with local, state and federal partners to assess impacts on natural resources and develop appropriate cleanup, removal and restoration efforts.
The derailment caused portions of the Yellowstone and Stillwater rivers to be closed at the request of Stillwater County authorities, as reported by the Montana Forest Service. The river is closed to navigation, bathing and fishing and there are areas on alert “for possible contact with contaminants”.
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“I am closely monitoring the train derailment in Stillwater County and the State stands ready to support as Montana Rail Link and county officials evaluate their needs,” Montana Governor Greg Gianforte tweeted.
“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 incident,” a company spokesman said in a statement reported by local media.
The bridge collapse also ruptured a fiber-optic cable that provides Internet service to many customers in the state, high-speed provider Global Net reported.
The derailment occurred about 175 kilometers northeast of the park, in a sparsely populated area. Railroad personnel were at the crash site near the city of Columbus, approximately 40 miles west of Billings. The river was swollen from recent heavy rains, although it is unclear whether this contributed to the bridge collapse. In 2022, the Yellowstone River experienced a record flood, causing extensive damage to Yellowstone National Park and nearby Montana cities.
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