CLEANUP COMPLETE AFTER PORT TRAIN DERAILMENT

LOAD OF WHEAT DESTINED FOR CERES GLOBAL AG SPILLED AFTER CARS HOPPED TRACKS

The cause of a train derailment in Port Colborne on Saturday remains under investigation but there is "no indication the train tracks had been tampered with," Niagara Regional Police say.

In a news release Monday, police provided information about the incident that occurred Saturday shortly before 10:30 a.m.

The NRP, with Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services and Niagara Emergency Medical Services, responded to the derailed train near Main

Street West, about 100 metres east of King Street.

It was determined a locomotive with 14 attached train cars was travelling from the Port Colborne grain terminal to the former Robin Hood plant, which is now operated by Ceres Global Ag.

The last three hopperstyle train cars became dislodged from the track and subsequently tipped over, police said.

The train engineer was not injured, nor was anyone else, police said.

The three hopper train cars were carrying Ontario wheat. A substantial amount was spilled onto a nearby parking lot.

The Ministry of Environment was notified and attended the scene, and it has been determined the wheat did not pose any environmental concerns, police said.

Questions directed to the ministry Monday went unanswered.

Vacuum trucks were called in and the wheat has since been cleaned up and removed, police said.

Police have been in contact with Transport Canada.

This isn't the first time there has been a derailment on the same rail line.

In May 2018, three hopper cars derailed after a joint snapped on the rail line between Clarence Street and Fielden Avenue.

In April 2018, one took place closer to Fielden Avenue and Princess Street when five cars came off track.

The track is operated by GIO Railway. An interview request left with the company's Welland office Monday was not responded to by press time.