Freight Train Carrying Hazardous Materials Plunges into Yellowstone River as Bridge Collapses

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Early Saturday, a bridge spanning the Yellowstone River in Montana collapsed, causing a freight train carrying dangerous substances to fall into the fast-flowing waters below.

The freight train consisted of several cars loaded with hot asphalt and molten sulfur, as reported by Stillwater County Disaster and Emergency Services. Following the incident at 6 a.m., authorities immediately closed downstream drinking water intakes to assess the potential risks. A reporter from Big Big News observed a yellow substance leaking from some of the tank cars.

David Stamey, the county’s chief of emergency services, assured that the crews at the site were not in immediate danger, as the hazardous materials were being diluted by the swollen river. Currently, there are three asphalt cars and four sulfur cars submerged in the river.

Fortunately, the train crew remained unharmed, and Montana Rail Link spokesperson Andy Garland confirmed that no injuries were reported. He added that both the asphalt and sulfur would solidify quickly due to the cooler temperatures in the vicinity.

Railroad teams were promptly dispatched to the scene in Stillwater County, near the town of Columbus, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Billings. The area is sparsely populated and encompasses ranches and farmlands. Notably, the river flows away from Yellowstone National Park, situated about 110 miles (177 kilometers) to the southwest.

Garland stated, “We are fully committed to addressing any potential impacts resulting from this incident and investigating the causes of the accident.”

The bridge collapse also resulted in the disruption of a fiber-optic cable that provided internet service to numerous customers across the state, as reported by the high-speed provider Global Net.

A message on the company’s phone line stated, “This is the primary fiber route… throughout Montana. All Global Net customers are affected. Connectivity will either be unavailable or significantly slowed.”

In neighboring Yellowstone County, officials implemented emergency measures at water treatment plants due to concerns about a possible hazardous material spill. They also urged residents to conserve water.

The cause of the bridge collapse is currently under investigation. Although heavy rainfall had caused the river to swell, it remains unclear whether it played a role in the incident.

In 2022, the Yellowstone River experienced record flooding, leading to extensive damage in Yellowstone National Park and adjacent towns in Montana. Robert Bea, a retired engineering professor from the University of California Berkeley specializing in disaster analysis, suggested that consecutive years of high river flows could offer insight into the potential cause.

“The force exerted by the high water flow directly affects the piers and, importantly, the riverbed,” Bea explained. “Erosion or scouring can weaken the foundation’s support, leading to structural or foundation failure, which may trigger an accident.”

The old highway bridge, known as the Twin Bridges, ran parallel to the railroad bridge. However, it was dismantled in 2021 after the Montana Department of Transportation deemed it imminently dangerous. The construction date and the last inspection of the railroad bridge are currently unknown.

Investigators will likely examine the bridge components for signs of wear, rust, and maintenance records, as highlighted by Bea. Representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration were present at the site.

To prevent the contents of the tank cars from reaching nearby farmland, Kelly Hitchcock from the Columbus Water Users shut off the flow of river water into an irrigation ditch downstream from the collapsed bridge. The Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office alerted the group to the incident Saturday morning.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sulfur is a commonly used element for fertilizers and acts as an insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide.

Johnson contributed to this report from Seattle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about bridge collapse

What caused the bridge collapse in Montana?

The exact cause of the bridge collapse is still under investigation. Heavy rainfall and consecutive years of high river flows are being considered as potential factors that could have weakened the bridge’s foundation.

What hazardous materials were being transported by the freight train?

The freight train was carrying hot asphalt and molten sulfur. Both substances can be hazardous if not handled properly.

Were there any injuries reported?

Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The train crew members were safe, and immediate measures were taken to ensure the safety of the emergency response teams at the site.

How will the environmental impact be addressed?

Authorities are committed to addressing any potential impacts resulting from this incident. Efforts will be made to understand the reasons behind the accident and mitigate any environmental consequences that may arise.

What measures were taken to protect the water supply?

Drinking water intakes downstream were shut down as a precautionary measure while evaluating the potential danger. Water treatment plants implemented emergency measures, and residents were urged to conserve water due to concerns about a possible hazmat spill.

How did the bridge collapse affect internet service?

The collapse caused disruption to a fiber-optic cable, resulting in internet service outages for customers in the state. The high-speed provider, Global Net, experienced connectivity issues as a result of the incident.

What steps were taken to prevent further damage?

The flow of river water into an irrigation ditch downstream from the collapsed bridge was shut off to prevent the hazardous material from reaching nearby farmland. Prompt action was taken to mitigate potential risks.

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6 comments

TechGeek123 June 25, 2023 - 7:30 am

A bridge collapse knocking out internet service? Talk about double trouble! I hope Global Net can fix the fiber-optic cable quickly. The internet outage is such a pain.

JohnDoe55 June 25, 2023 - 8:02 am

omg that’s so scary, a bridge collapse and a train with dangerous stuff in the river?! thank god no one got hurt tho hope they fix it soon

Bookworm88 June 25, 2023 - 4:19 pm

bridge collapse and hazmat spill? Yikes! That’s a major disaster waiting to happen. They better investigate what went wrong and make sure it doesn’t happen again!

TrainEnthusiast June 25, 2023 - 6:27 pm

Wow, what a trainwreck…literally! It’s crazy to think about the force of the river causing the bridge to collapse. I wonder how they’ll salvage the train and repair the bridge.

NatureLover22 June 25, 2023 - 11:50 pm

This is devastating! The Yellowstone River is such a beautiful natural treasure, and now it’s at risk from hazardous materials. I hope they can clean it up and protect the environment.

ConcernedCitizen June 26, 2023 - 12:30 am

This incident highlights the importance of infrastructure maintenance and inspections. Lives and the environment are at stake when bridges fail. Let’s learn from this and invest in our infrastructure’s safety.