Quebec village destroyed by freight train explosion

[Chacal]

A train carrying crude oil derailed overnight in the heart of Lac-Mégantic in Quebec's Eastern Townships, sparking a major fire that led to the evacuation of 1,000 people from their homes.

4 100-ton tank cars exploded
1,000 evacuated from their homes
1-kilometre wide security perimeter
Several missing, feared dead
Over 100 firefighters battle flames
Huge oil spill in important river

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ ... -fire.html

Some impressive pictures here:

This is a nice, picturesque village I often drive through on my way to Maine.
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/estr ... rain.shtml

[Chacal]

The track is owned and operated by Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway.
This accident splits MMA's network exactly at mid-point.

[GaryG]

I first heard of it on CNN International. At the end of the report it was implied by someone that the train was at full speed and running on AUTOMATIC!

I certainly feel for the many affected by this accident. I also hope injuries and casualties, hopefully none, are nowhere near what CNN is saying there might be.

GaryG

[buzz456]

The inaccuracy of the Media never fails to astound me.

[glenn68]

Was it CXS? LOL!

[Chacal]

There was a full jazz bar near the tracks, a busy night with live music.
I doubt anyone got out alive.

The railroad has started correcting the inaccuracies of media reports (people were talking about an auto-pilot).

The train was parked out of town for a crew change. The first crew says it applied the brakes and left.
Seems like brakes failed (or were released) and the train rolled downgrade on its own.
Some witness saw the engine on fire before the accident, this could be because of loco brakes heating.

[PapaXpress]

It seems to be a bad day for fatalities. A 777 just crashed at SFO, as of 5 minutes ago they don't know the total count of dead, there were survivors who walked away from it.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07 ... rport?lite

[Merlin75]

Mixed reports on the number of deaths from that 777 crash some say one others say two and about ten more in a bad way in hospital. But If it stays at one or two then there are 300 very lucky people today as looking at the state of the plane it could of been a lot worse.

[buzz456]

Yeah something like 291 passengers.

[PapaXpress]

Update from about 9 minutes ago:

Joanne Hayes-White, the San Francisco fire chief, said there were 307 people on board — 291 passengers and 16 crew. A deputy chief said 181 people were taken to the hospital, including 49 with serious injuries. One person was unaccounted for. Hospitals reported that the injuries included burns and fractures.

It appears to be pilot error. The plane came in too low, and it was too late to correct it.

[buzz456]

I wouldn't be surprised if a tail strike occurred.

[Merlin75]

From the reports I've seen online a tail strike did happen. It is reported that the tail struck the rocks at the end of the runway and was dragged along until it got ripped off. The two passengers that died were at the rear of the plane and were thrown out of the back of the plane onto the runway. Many are saying pilot error. It'll be interesting to see what the NTSB says.

[buzz456]

An example: http://flyawaysimulation.com/news/4433/ ... il-strike/

[Chacal]

Meanwhile in Lac Megantice things are not looking good. We know dozens of people were in that bar and only a few who were on the outside deck could escape. The others did not come out, it just won't be confirmed until (if) they can ID the bodies. It will be a while until the firefighters can get anywhere near the place.

[fecrails]

Amazing the way the tank cars all stack up parallel to each other!

derail.jpg