Minor injuries in passenger train derailment along Manitoba-Saskatchewan border

All passengers and crew have been released from hospital after a Via Rail traintravelling from Winnipeg derailed early Thursday morning along the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border.

Sixteen passengers and fivecrew members were on the train when it derailed37 kilometres north of Hudson Bay, Sask., at 3:05 a.m. CT. The trainwas on its way to The Pas, Man.

The two crewmemberssustained minor injuries, and no passengers were hurt, according to a preliminary report fromVia Rail.

All passengers were takento the Hudson Bay Health Care Facility. They werecleared by the hospital in thelate morning and were to be taken to Winnipeg until new transportation arrangements are made.

The rail company saidthe train consistedofeight cars. Two locomotives and one baggage car derailed on their side, whilethecars with thepassengers insideremained upright.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said two locomotives and a baggage car ran off the tracks.

Track was washed out

The train was going 53km/h when it reached an area of the track, near Otosquen, Sask.,that waswashed out, according to TSB spokespersonAlexandre Fournier.

According to Environment Canada, the Hudson Bay, Sask., area received 52 millimetres of rain between Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.

Fournier saidthe derailmenthappened in a remote area with no access road. TSB is sending an investigator from Winnipeg.

"The roads may be under water, that's what's been reported to us," Fournier said."It's a difficult location to access right now."

Via Rail saidemergency crewsattendedthe scenealongthe CNTurnberryline, and an evacuation wasunderway.

'So very, very grateful'

Debi Shearwater, who istravelling to Churchillfrom her home in the U.S., was one of 21 passengers on the train when it derailed.

After being rescued from the train and taken to hospital in Hudson Bay,Shearwater and the other passengers were brought to a Winnipeg hotel to stay the night Thursday. Shewas to fly to Churchill Friday, she told CBC News.

Shearwater took to Facebook to thank everyone involved in helping to rescue passengers.

"The support, comfort, & care we have received has been overwhelming, truly," she wrote.

"I am so very, very grateful. Canadians are simply THE BEST!"

Via Rail hassuspended service between Winnipeg andGillamin Manitobauntil further notice.

Family members can call theVia Rail hot lineat1-877-747-0707for more information.

The accident is under investigation.

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