Runaway Train Explosion in Canada Leaves At Least Five Dead, 40 Missing

When things go wrong on the railroad, they can go badly wrong. You don’t have to look further than the tragedy that’s unfolding in a small town in eastern Canada to realize the potential for disaster on our railroads.

At least five burned bodies have been found after the accident involving a runaway train and about 40 people are missing in Lac-Megantic in Quebec.

The accident caused a series of massive explosions when the train’s cargo of crude oil ignited.

The 73-car train explosion flattened the downtown area of Lac-Megantic, Quebec, on Saturday, CNN reported.

“The crash and series of explosions flattened dozens of houses and buildings and forced nearly 2,000 people to evacuate from the town 130 miles east of Montreal,” the news channel reported.

Firefighters are still putting out blazes in the small Canadian town. CNN reported Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper described the town as a “war zone.”

When railroad disasters occur, a railroad is often liable for injuries or wrongful deaths. “The company responsible for the train said an engine shutdown may have released air brakes holding the train in place,” reported CNN.

Reports suggested the train had stopped for a crew change on the night of July 5, 2013 about seven miles from Lac-Megantic, according to the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway.

As an experienced Norfolk, VA railroad worker injury/FELA lawyer I am well aware that the railroads of America and Canada are not as safe as they should be .

In a recent article I pointed out how a design flaw in tankers used on the railroad threatened a disaster waiting to happen.

We don’t know yet whether these type of tankers were involved in this accident. But, if they were, this could be the disaster railroad experts have been talking about for some time.

If you have been hurt in a railroad accident of have lost a loved one, you should contact an experienced Virginia railroad accident lawyer.

The Norfolk, VA based personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley with client meeting locations in Virginia Beach and Hampton, handles automobile, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as wrongful death, railroad injury cases and medical malpractice. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims. Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010. Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA. If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us at (757) 455 -0077 or see the Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers’ website.