Flames, black smoke fill sky after fuel truck, train collide northwest of Edmonton
No fatalities in Whitecourt, Alta., collision, but further explosions 'still possible,' RCMP say
Flames and thick plumes of black smoke filled the air in Whitecourt, Alta., on Friday morning after a collision between a fuel truck and a train.
No fatalities have been reported. RCMP said the train driver sustained a minor back injury.
The collision happened on Highway 43 near the junction on Highway 32.
The Whitecourt fire department, CN police and EMS were also on scene, RCMP said.
People were asked to avoid the area.
"Though the fuel is the only hazardous material involved, fuel is volatile and explosions are still possible," police said.
Rick Johnston was heading to work Friday morning when he heard a loud thud.
"Then over in the direction where I had just come from, the big plume of black smoke then appeared in the air."
Whitecourt is 180 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
This is the fourth time a truck and train have collided recently in the region, including a crash yesterday in Viking, Alta..
Last week a crash in Leduc County killed a 73-year-old man.
A month ago a crash in Strathcona County injured a 39-year-old truck driver.