Freight Train Derails in Boulder, Colorado, Injuring Two Crew Members

Late on Thursday night, a freight train operated by BNSF Railway derailed in Boulder, Colorado, resulting in injuries to two crew members and a small fuel leak. The cause of the derailment has yet to be determined, with no official statement released by either the railway operator or the police.

According to BNSF Railway, the incident occurred around 11:13 p.m. near Boulder Creek. The derailment caused damage to a rail bridge and led to a minor fuel spill from one of the cars. Fortunately, the spilled fuel did not contaminate the creek. The injured crew members received medical treatment at a local hospital and have since been released. Cleanup and recovery efforts are underway in the area.

Authorities have reassured the public that there is no immediate danger resulting from the derailment. However, the full extent of the damage, as well as the nature of the freight on the train and its intended destination, remain unknown.

Boulder Police Department reported temporary road closures in the vicinity to facilitate cleanup operations. These closures were lifted on Friday morning after the removal of the derailed cars. The train involved in the accident was reported to be approximately one mile in length.

In close proximity to the incident site lies Boulder Community Health, a prominent medical center serving a population of around 105,000 people. The city of Boulder, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Northern Colorado, is also home to the University of Colorado.

While BNSF Railway revealed that the train had made contact with nearby equipment, no further details have been provided to explain the cause of the derailment. The police noted the destruction of a rail bridge near the accident site.

As a precautionary measure, Xcel Energy decided to temporarily suspend power to 64 customers to ensure the safety of the crews involved in the removal of the derailed train cars. The aim was to prevent any potential damage to nearby natural gas lines.

Initially, the police department reported a fuel leak into the creek from the train engine. However, they later clarified that all the spilled fuel was believed to have been absorbed by sand that had spilled from one of the cars.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the derailment. In the meantime, authorities continue their efforts to clear the area and restore normalcy along the affected rail route.