Derailed train on collapsed bridge contaminates Yellowstone River
Jenny Goldsberry
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A bridge collapse in Columbus, Montana, led to a train derailing into the Yellowstone River Saturday.
The bridge collapsed during the night Friday, but the train did not attempt to cross the bridge until 6:00 a.m. Saturday. As a result, “multiple tanker cars were damaged and are leaking petroleum products near the Yellowstone River,” according to the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.
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“There is no immediate threat to Yellowstone County,” a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office read. “Local Fishing Accesses will be closed.”
The Yellowstone County Emergency and General Service also issued a warning to its residents to reduce water use.
“On 06/24/2023 at about 07:45 AM water treatment facilities in Laurel, Billings, and Lockwood, as well as the irrigation canal companies, have instituted emergency protective measures, including shutting down head gates, due to a potential hazmat spill into the Yellowstone River in neighboring Stillwater County,” a press release read.
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Eight train cars were involved in the derailment.
Parts of the river have been closed as a result of the derailment. Stillwater County Emergency Services, Sheriff’s Office, Commissioners, Columbus Fire & Rescue are on the scene with Montana Rail Link and others to determine what caused the bridge collapse. Gov. Greg Gianforte (R-MT) reported he is also monitoring the incident.