Train derails in Oshawa, freight cars land in backyards

CP derailment on the Belleville sub at the east siding switch at Oshawa.

Residents of an Oshawa, Ont., neighbourhood were told to leave their homes Friday after a Canadian Pacific Railway freight train hauling chemicals derailed in the area.

A police spokeswoman said Friday night she did not know how many people had been evacuated from their homes, but added that a shelter has been opened for evacuees.

The derailment occurred around 2:15 p.m., sending 27 cars and two locomotives off the tracks near Park Road north of Highway 401, according to Durham regional police Sgt. Nancy Van Rooy.

"It started to make a big screeching noise and then I heard something sort of exploding and that was just the engine falling," said Liam Jackson, 10, whose school overlooks the tracks. "Everyone started crowding around it."

At least two cars ended up in residents' backyards, only metres from their houses. Other cars piled up under an overpass.

One car caught fire, but the flames were extinguished quickly by firefighters.

Not considered dangerous
Police said at least one car was carrying hydrogen peroxide, but Van Rooy said it wasn't considered dangerous.

"A number of them are tanker cars carrying chemicals," she said, "but I've not been made aware of any hazards."

Residents living within a one-kilometre radius of the derailment site were asked to leave the area while emergency workers ensured the area was safe. Nearby schools were evacuated as a precaution, and the city opened up the South Oshawa Community Centre for those who had no place to go.

No injuries were reported.

Dave MacKenzie, whose backyard backs on to the tracks, said trains regularly travel at speeds too fast for such a densely populated area.

"They come flying by here. The table in the house rattles. The pictures on the speakers fall off. The whole nine yards," he said.

It is not immediately clear what caused the derailment of the 111-car train.

"CP's priority firstly is to ensure the safety of our employees and the surrounding community," said CPR spokesman Mike LoVecchio. "We will then work to mitigate any environmental damage and then focus on the investigation."

Oshawa Mayor John Gray said workers could be on site through the weekend and even into next week gathering information and cleaning up debris.

GO Transit service was not affected by the derailment, as the GO tracks are south of the tracks where the CPR train derailed. Traffic on Highway 401 was not affected, although a section of Park Road North was closed.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Rail
• CP
• Oshawa
• derailment

[BuchananZ34]

The fucking news needs to get there facts straight before showing maps. Get the right fucking map before you start making people panic.

[chris40539]

i want one of those engines to land in my back yard and i would pay $9000 in cash to keep it there! thumbs up if you agree

[LAVENDERACGIRL]

I can't find the part where they interveiw my friends mom.

[Boss302fan]

@revolution1one Often they are given to high school or shop classes to "play with". The school in turn guarantees the automobile will not be restored to service.

[LTJessup]

lol Muhammmad Lila...

[Waffles341]

@MultiMonster69 Aha, for sure eh?

[southern4501isawesom]

OMG!!!! WHAT A WASTE OF A GOOD TRAIN!!! NOOOOOoooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!­!

[smartassstevie]

i would of opened the auto rack and gotten me some new rides.

[smartassstevie]

i would opened the auto rack and gotten me some new rides.

[MultiMonster69]

thats a real canadian name....muhammad