CN train carrying dangerous goods derails west of Lancaster

An eastbound Canadian National (CN) train carrying three cars of dangerous goods derailed between Summerstown and Lancaster on Monday morning, October 18.

Though the cause of the derailment is still being investigated, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported that eighteen cars were dislodged from the rails, including three cars containing dangerous goods: ammonium nitrate, sulphuric acid and sodium cyanide.

Nine homes on Lapierre Road were evacuated as a precaution, though the evacuation was halted once the CN Dangerous Goods team confirmed there was no threat to the public, the OPP reported.

OPP officers from the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry detachment were dispatched to the scene Monday morning at 10:19 a.m. and are currently remaining on the scene along with CN employees assessing the damage to the train.

According to early police reports, "the investigation revealed that CN train #368 was eastbound on the south set of tracks, approximately one kilometre west of Fraser Road in South Glengarry Township."

The South Glengarry Township roads department is also in the process of closing roads at the intersections of Fraser and Lapierre Rds., as well as Fraser and Diversion Rds.

Traffic has been rerouted as CN Police continues with its lead of the investigation.

In addition, VIA Rail Canada announced it is rerouting its trains between Montreal and Toronto, in both directions, via Ottawa. In some cases, the passenger service will replace its trains with bus service.

VIA said it expects the accident would affect all of Monday's trains operating on the Montreal-Toronto route and possibly into Tuesday. Passengers should also expect delays of up to two hours in total trip time.

Passengers to and from Cornwall will be provided with alternate transportation.

New ticket sales have been temporarily suspended for all trains on the affected route.

More to come.