Calgary, Geurnsey 鈥� Canadian Pacific Railway released the following statement the afternoon on Feb. 6 after a second crude-by-rail train in as many months derailed and caught fire in near Geurnsey, Saskatchewan:
鈥淭here were no injuries to the crew and CP emergency response teams are at the scene working closely with local first responders to contain the fire. There is no impact to waterways.
鈥淚mmediately after the derailment, CP implemented a slow order on its crude trains as a precautionary measure as it gathers facts related to this incident. Since then, Transport Canada has issued a Ministerial Order, effective for thirty days at midnight on Friday, Feb. 7. The order requires a slowdown of 鈥渒ey trains (which contain 20 or more cars carrying dangerous goods). In metropolitan areas, these trains will be limited to 20 mph. Outside these areas, trains will be limited to 25 mph.鈥�
鈥淐P fully supports this action and it has been implemented effective immediately,鈥� said Keith Creel, CP president and CEO. 鈥淯ntil we better understand the facts relating to today鈥檚 incident, it is prudent to operate with an abundance of caution. We equally share Minister Garneau鈥檚 concerns, and remain committed to safe operations, as we always have been.鈥澛�
The statement continued, 鈥淐P is working collaboratively with local officials in responding to today鈥檚 derailment and is deploying claims officers to assist community members displaced by the incident and evacuation.
鈥淐P is in close contact with regulators and local officials and will keep them informed as the situation progresses. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.聽
鈥淐rews will work diligently and will ensure the area is cleaned up and restored after CP safely recovers from this incident.鈥�
Humboldt RCMP closed the highway in both directions shortly after the derailment occurred. Approximately 85 people were evacuated from Guernsey, according to The Canadian Press.
The previous derailment, which had no injuries but spilled approximately 9,435 bbl. oil, occurred on Dec. 9. That derailment was approximately 10 kilometres to the west of this derailment. In the December derailment, the train was traveling eastbound at 45 miles per hour. (Railways operate in the imperial system, using miles as their standard unit of measure as opposed to kilometres.)
