Train Derailment and Bridge Failure in Colorado Leads to Semi-Truck Driver Entrapment and Coal Spillage on Highway

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On Sunday, a train derailment accompanied by a bridge failure resulted in a scattering of coal and disfigured train cars over a highway in the vicinity of Pueblo, Colorado. The incident trapped a semi-truck driver beneath the debris, according to an announcement by the Colorado State Patrol.

Emergency rescue operations for the semi-truck driver were in progress, said Gary Cutler, the spokesperson for the state patrol. Authorities were not yet aware of the driver’s health status or whether other motorists were implicated in the accident.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board have been dispatched to the accident site, located approximately 114 miles (183 kilometers) to the south of Denver.

Visuals released by the Colorado State Patrol and the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office depicted a bridge over the interstate in a state of partial collapse, with the semi-truck ensnared underneath. The photographs and video footage also illustrated a heap of derailed train cars, dislocated train wheels, and a considerable amount of coal blanketing a section of the highway.

The precise timing of the bridge’s collapse remained undetermined, said Cutler.

In the interim, transportation authorities were advising motorists to steer clear of the affected zone while efforts to remove the coal and derailed train cars were being carried out.

For context, a similar incident occurred in southern Montana in June. A railroad bridge there gave way, causing rail cars carrying oil products to plummet into the Yellowstone River, resulting in a spillage of molten sulfur and up to 250 tons (226.7 metric tons) of hot asphalt.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Train derailment in Colorado

More about Train derailment in Colorado

• Colorado State Patrol Official Statement
• National Transportation Safety Board Investigation Update
• Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Social Media Updates
• Traffic Advisory for Affected Area
• News Coverage of Montana Railroad Bridge Collapse
• Emergency Response Guidelines for Train Derailments