Train Derailment Near Sudbury -- Short Video & Report From a Resident

by Beth Mairs

On Monday April 14th at approximately 10pm there was a train derailment at mile 30 west out of Sudbury station on the Huron-Central line. The accident happened at a washed out culvert -- the exact scene of a similar incident in 1965. According to the Ministry of the Environment up to 5000 gallons of diesel fuel has spilled at the site, beside Tadley Creek which flows into the Spanish River approximately 1.2 km downstream.

This incident has occurred in Greater Sudbury, Lorne Township, yet no one representing the City or Ward 2 has come onsite or made contact with affected residents.

The environmental teams have been working around the clock since the derailment. Absorbent booms were placed in the creek near the mouth approximately 13 hours after the incident. Now the Environmental team is working at the scene itself. The train cars with fuel were drained and the clean up is ongoing. No company representatives have come to houses to speak directly to affected residents of Greater Sudbury -- however, a soil and water testing company took well samples yesterday and results are expected tomorrow (Good Friday.)

By contrast, in 1965 the Mayor of Nairn and Hymen acted quickly to notify residents immediately and take precautionary measures regarding water usage. However the residents of Greater Sudbury for whom the threat is more imminent and effects to property have had to get information from onsite personnel.

The attached video gives a brief view of the current state of the derailment site.