Early Saturday morning, a bridge over the Yellowstone River in Stillwater County, Montana collapsed and multiple tanker cars carrying hazardous materials derailed. Montana Rail Link (MRL) informed TheBlaze that there were many cars in the river and some of them held hazardous materials. Fortunately, the train crew is safe and there have been no injuries reported. The company is dedicated to addressing any potential consequences of the incident and Gov. Greg Gianforte tweeted that the state is prepared to support MRL and county officials.
The train was traveling westbound at around 6:45 a.m. when the accident occurred, occurring between Columbus and Reed Point near Twin Bridges Road. The original belief was that the tanker cars were leaking petroleum products, but the most current information from Stillwater County News states that they were filled with asphalt and sulfur.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks warned the public to stay away from the water from Twin Bridges Road to Buffalo Mirage Fishing Access Site due to potential contaminants, as well as the closure of the Stillwater River from White Bird FAS to the confluence with the Yellowstone River. Water treatment plants, irrigation districts, and industrial companies are taking necessary precautions and residents are advised to conserve water.
MRL personnel and first responders are currently onsite and an investigation of the derailment is underway. Montana Rail Link is a Class II regional railroad that operates 900 route miles of track in Montana.