Train derails east of Havre

A freight train derailed outside of Havre Friday afternoon, about six miles east of Havre, but there were no injuries or fatalities, and the cause is still under investigation.

BNSF General Director of Public Affairs Lena Kent said the derailment occurred at 4:39 p.m. Friday with 11 cars derailing.

Hill County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Amanda Frickel said 25 cars were involved, all of them freight.

Frickel said one car contained paint thinner, a hazardous material, but it remained sealed with no evidence of any leaking.

A BNSF hazmat team was on site Friday to ensure safety, she said, but there was no immediate danger, though she did request caution from drivers going though the area.

Overturned cars with metal shipping containers, many twisted or broken open by the force of the crash, spilling their contents across the grass, could be seen scattered along the south side of the railroad tracks Friday evening as train wheels littered the area next to the nearby U.S. Highway 2.

There are no estimates on the damage yet, but Frickel said she was just glad no one was hurt.

"At this point it's just a matter of (spilled) baby carrots and White Claw," Frickel said, " ... I'm just glad it wasn't a passenger train."

Crews worked through the night to get the cars cleaned up and the rails repaired and by Saturday afternoon the rail was open again.

Amtrak Senior Public Relations Manager Jason Abrams said all of Amtrak's trains are back on schedule as of the track's reopening.

Cranes could be seen clearing debris Friday evening as Montana Highway Patrol and local law enforcement helped to direct traffic and ensure safety on the scene.

Kent said as of Sunday afternoon, when this story went to press, the cause of the accident remains under investigation.