A train makes its way up a newly-reopened rail line Saturday morning after a derailment Friday evening. The derailment caused the evacuation of Irvine and the surrounding area. -- NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker
CP Rail reopened a rail line near Irvine around 11 a.m. Saturday after a derailment Friday evening.
The rail line was closed and residents in a six-kilometre radius around the hamlet were evacuated around 4 p.m. Friday. The concern was a styrene leak of around eight litres on the tracks – CP Rail says it was fully remediated.
Styrene is a flammable liquid used to make plastic, latex, fibreglass and rubber.
CP confirmed the rail line reopened after repairs and safety checks were complete.
CP Rail kept crews on site to ensure all equipment is removed from the area and that it is fully restored.
“Crews worked through the night and continue to work through (Saturday) morning. They detangled the five cars that were on top of each other and they had track intertwined with them,” said Cypress County director of emergency services Kim Dalton
“There’s an arrangement of dozers, excavators and equipment from around the country here trying to get things back to normal.”
Around 200 people checked into the Cypress County office Friday and 75 residents relied on Red Cross for a place to stay over night.
“People handled this really well,” said Dalton. “Obviously everyone is concerned about family or pets that were left at home – also some people were unable to evacuate because they don’t have transportation. Our staff worked well with everyone to assist the evacuation.”
CP Rail did not respond to requests for comment.
