Freight train derails in SoDo area

By Associated Press

Summary

A Burlington Northern Sante Fe train derailed just after 11 a.m., but no one was injured.

Story Published: Aug 20, 2009 at 10:25 AM PST

Story Updated: Aug 20, 2009 at 12:27 PM PST

Freight train derails in SoDo area
SEATTLE (AP) — An accident in a rail shipping yard in south Seattle spilled 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas says an engine was moving cars in a switching yard Thursday when a problem with a coupling caused five cars to roll into two engines on a side track.

The collision ruptured a fuel tank. The state Ecology Department says the spill was contained at the scene and did not reach drains or nearby Elliott Bay. BNSF hired a contractor to help with the cleanup.

Melonas says an engineer on one of the engines was taken to a hospital to be checked for back pain. Two cars derailed that were carrying particle board.

The switch yard and BNSF mail line continue to operate.

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