(Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island) northeast of Agassiz. Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island) will conduct a Q&A meeting Sunday afternoon (Mar. 3) in response to a diesel spill that happened Friday night near Agassiz.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Seabird Island

Seabird Island to hold Q&A meeting Sunday after VIA Rail train hits debris, causing major diesel spill

Mar 3, 2024 | 12:24 PM

AGASSIZ — Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island Band) northeast of Agassiz will conduct a Q&A meeting Sunday afternoon (Mar. 3) in response to a diesel spill that happened Friday night near Agassiz.

According to a statement on the band’s Facebook page dated Saturday night, Mar. 2, a VIA Rail passenger train collided with debris on railroad tracks, puncturing the engine’s fuel tanks and causing the train to stop near the Highway 9 crossing at Lophet Road (Bobb Road).

The band says that while there were no injuries reported, there is no imminent risk to Seabird Island residents. As a precaution, some homes with well water along Highway 9 have directly received a water advisory notice. Drinking water is being supplied to these homes.

Nucor Environmental Solutions is actively working to clean up the site, the band said in its statement, adding that it is asking residents to exercise caution when traveling near the scene.

According to scanner traffic Friday night, multiple engines from both Agassiz Fire and Seabird Island were dispatched at approximately 7:47 p.m. for a fuel spill of approximately 500 metres. There were approximately 130 passengers aboard the VIA train when the train struck debris. Roughly 5,000 to 6,000 litres of diesel fuel leaked from the train. Haz mat crews from CP were dispatched; the train stopped as a result of the accident. Environment Canada was notified of the fuel spill.

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