Monday morning rail news:
CN workers suffer serious injuries when hit by vehicle at grade crossing
Two Canadian National Railway employees were hospitalized with serious injuries when they were struck by a vehicle while doing repairs at a grade crossing in Alberta late Friday night. Global News reports the accident occurred about 11:30 p.m. when the workers, who were doing track repairs following a single-car derailment, were struck by a pickup truck. The accident occurred on Highway 60 in Parkland County, near Edmonton. A police investigation is under way.
2,100 railcars stalled by rail blockade in Mexico
An indigenous group in Mexico continues to blockade a rail line and highway despite an agreement brokered by the federal government in July, leading to significant financial losses. The Mexico Daily News reports members of the Yaqui indigenous group have placed obstacles on tracks connecting Nogales in the Mexican state of Sonora to Nogales, Ariz., as well as two roadblocks on a major highway. The current rail blockade began Aug. 5. The Yaqui people are demanding government compensation for land use for a number of infrastructure projects, as well as fulfillment of social commitments. A business group says the rail blockade has forced cargo to be transloaded to trucks, leading to significant cost overruns, and has stranded more than 2,100 railcars with more than $19.7 million in cargo.
BNSF Railway officer out of hospital after stabbing that led to fatal shooting
A BNSF Railway police officer who was initially reported in critical condition has been released from the hospital in Denver after he was stabbed by a man, and then shot and killed the suspect. KCNC-TV reports the Saturday morning incident came when the officer found that the suspect, trespassing on railroad property, had an outstanding felony warrant, and was stabbed as he tried to arrest the individual. Denver Police are now conducting an officer-involved-shooting investigation.
