Train hits debris on tracks near Agassiz, spilling diesel; 121 passengers affected

All passengers had to get off after a VIA Rail train hit debris on the tracks east of Agassiz, B.C., Friday evening, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) tells CityNews.

Terry Cunha, a media representative for CPKC, says the train travelling from Vancouver to Ontario suffered damage to the locomotive’s fuel tank, leading to a diesel spill on the railroad.

“Local first responders helped to contain the spill, and an environmental team responded to further assess and work on clean up,” Cunha said.

He says he does not know how much diesel was spilled.

VIA Rail had to arrange alternate travel for 121 passengers, the company tells CityNews in a statement.

“VIA Rail called in buses and all passengers were transported back to Vancouver, Kamloops, and Jasper,” it said.

No injuries were reported.

CPKC, which owns that section of the track, is now working with the RCMP to investigate the incident.

This was the third train incident in B.C. in two weeks.

With files from Renee Bernard.

An earlier version of this story had incorrectly attributed the statement about passengers being transported to CPKC. This statement came from VIA Rail.