The train derailment on Highway 99E early Wednesday morning was caused by a large tree that had fallen on the tracks, according to a spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad.
“At around 1:28 a.m. Jan. 6, a Union Pacific mixed freight train collided with a large tree that had fallen on the tracks, resulting in three locomotives and 15 rail cars derailing north of Canby, near Pacific Highway 99E,” UP regional spokesman Tim McMahan said in a statement to The Canby Current.
The train’s locomotive engineer experienced pain and stiffness after the incident, McMahan added, but was treated and released at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The train was mostly loaded with lumber and wood products. No hazardous materials were involved.
The cleanup was expected to take between 24 and 48 hours and involve the use of heavy equipment. It was continuing as of early Thursday afternoon.
McMahan said Thursday afternoon that he did not have an estimate for when the track would reopen.
Traffic along Highway 99E was severely delayed at times Wednesday and Thursday as a southbound lane remained closed and work continued at the site. The crash occurred between Canby and Oregon City, near South End Road.
The incident is being investigated by UP and the National Transportation Safety Board.
