CP And DM&E Trains Collide Near Dresbach, MN
December 18th, 2008 Posted in News, PrototypeTwo freight trains collided near Dresbach, Minnesota just before daybreak at around 5:15 Wednesday (December 17 2008) morning. The collsion caused a massive derailment and sent several of the cars into the Mississippi River.
Cars from a Canadian Pacific freight train lie tumbled off the tracks after it collided with another train near Dresbach, shortly after 5 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008. Authorities say the accident at the southeastern corner of Minnesota injured two railroad employees, set off a propane leak and caused some railroad cars to fall into the Mississippi River.
According to incident commander Bernie Buehler, Canadian Pacific and Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern trains were involved in the accident.
One train coming from Portage was pulling 100 cars, the other was coming from La Crescent and carrying 15. Of the 115 rail cars, only 49 are still on the track.
The accident caused a propane leak at a switching station when the cars damaged the tank. The area around the leak has been evacuated, including a veterans home near the tracks.
At last report the emergency workers were waiting for daybreak before planning what action to take.
Winona County Emergency Management spokesman Dave Belz says liquid ammonia is leaking from some cars, too, but isn’t a public danger.
Two railroad workers were hurt and were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Exit 272 off I-90 leading into Dresbach has been closed as a precaution until officials determine it’s safe for public travel.
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