This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/03/train-derailment-western-montana-beer-spill

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Into the drink: train derails beside Montana river, tipping out cases of beer Spilled drink: train derails beside Montana river, tipping out cases of beer
(about 11 hours later)
Coors Light and Blue Moon shipments spilled beside the Clark Fork River in Paradise, leaving a difficult messCoors Light and Blue Moon shipments spilled beside the Clark Fork River in Paradise, leaving a difficult mess
A train derailment beside a scenic western Montana river has spilled powdered clay and huge amounts of beer, leaving crews with a daunting cleanup.A train derailment beside a scenic western Montana river has spilled powdered clay and huge amounts of beer, leaving crews with a daunting cleanup.
The train derailed on Sunday across the river from Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort in Paradise, spilling cases of Coors Light and Blue Moon beer in cans and bottles, the Missoulian reported. No injuries have been reported.The train derailed on Sunday across the river from Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort in Paradise, spilling cases of Coors Light and Blue Moon beer in cans and bottles, the Missoulian reported. No injuries have been reported.
Cleanup crews could face a difficult task after a 25-car derailment left some cars off the tracks in a narrow, century-old tunnel with limited access, officials said.Cleanup crews could face a difficult task after a 25-car derailment left some cars off the tracks in a narrow, century-old tunnel with limited access, officials said.
“It’s a terrible spot to get in and out of,” said Bill Naegeli, manager for Sanders county disaster and emergency services, of the derailment on the Clark Fork River.“It’s a terrible spot to get in and out of,” said Bill Naegeli, manager for Sanders county disaster and emergency services, of the derailment on the Clark Fork River.
Seven cars are believed derailed in the narrow tunnel where it will be hard to extricate them, Naegeli said. A tanker car carrying butane was on its side, but it did not leak, Naegeli said.Seven cars are believed derailed in the narrow tunnel where it will be hard to extricate them, Naegeli said. A tanker car carrying butane was on its side, but it did not leak, Naegeli said.
A boom was deployed across the river to secure any cans or bottles of beer that enter the water and to monitor for any possible diesel impacts after a small amount of fuel spilled on the dirt from two refrigerator cars that derailed, said Andy Garland, spokesperson for Montana Rail Link, on Monday.A boom was deployed across the river to secure any cans or bottles of beer that enter the water and to monitor for any possible diesel impacts after a small amount of fuel spilled on the dirt from two refrigerator cars that derailed, said Andy Garland, spokesperson for Montana Rail Link, on Monday.
“MRL has been in communication with both local and federal authorities and will conduct any necessary site remediation, including impacted soil removal in coordination with DEQ,” Garland said.“MRL has been in communication with both local and federal authorities and will conduct any necessary site remediation, including impacted soil removal in coordination with DEQ,” Garland said.
Directly across the river, some guest cabins at Quinn’s resort were evacuated as a precaution, the Plains-Paradise rural fire district said in a social media post.Directly across the river, some guest cabins at Quinn’s resort were evacuated as a precaution, the Plains-Paradise rural fire district said in a social media post.
Denise Moreth, the resort’s general manager, told the Missoulian that front desk workers heard a “loud, rumbling crash, and then they heard the train derailment”.Denise Moreth, the resort’s general manager, told the Missoulian that front desk workers heard a “loud, rumbling crash, and then they heard the train derailment”.
Garland said Sunday it was unclear how long it would take to remove the derailed cars and repair the tracks and railroad bed, which appeared to have been damaged when the cars slid off the tracks. Crews were working in the area on Monday. Garland said on Sunday it was unclear how long it would take to remove the derailed cars and repair the tracks and railroad bed, which appeared to have been damaged when the cars slid off the tracks. Crews were working in the area on Monday.
The cause of the derailment is still under investigation, officials said.The cause of the derailment is still under investigation, officials said.
Federal regulators and members of Congress are urging railroads to do more to prevent derailments after recent fiery wrecks involving hazardous chemicals in Ohio and Minnesota prompted evacuations.Federal regulators and members of Congress are urging railroads to do more to prevent derailments after recent fiery wrecks involving hazardous chemicals in Ohio and Minnesota prompted evacuations.
Rail accidents including derailments have been trending downward in the US as the number of miles traveled by trains decreases. However, the rate of accidents per mile has been increasing, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. Railway unions contend rail transportation has become riskier in recent years after widespread job cuts.Rail accidents including derailments have been trending downward in the US as the number of miles traveled by trains decreases. However, the rate of accidents per mile has been increasing, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. Railway unions contend rail transportation has become riskier in recent years after widespread job cuts.
The Associated Press contributed reportingThe Associated Press contributed reporting