A Cargo Train Carrying New Vehicles Derails East Of Williams Wednesday Night

A BNSF freight train derailed east of Williams Wednesday night. The derailment happened at about 11:20 p.m. Coconino County Emergency Management says a total of 23 cars, of the 167 car train, derailed and sustained heavy damage. The train was hauling a variety of new cars, vans and trucks. There wasn’t a hazmat situation, however some of the vehicles were electric cars and some EV batteries were damaged in the derailment, so caution was used by crews after they arrived at the scene. Emergency management officials say the train was going about 50 miles-per-hour when the derailment happened. There were no injuries and cleanup is underway. BNSF says the cause of the accident is under investigation. Emergency management officials say the train was the same train that had a mechanical problem that blocked three railroad crossings in Flagstaff for about two hours Wednesday. Because of the accident, Amtrak has canceled service from Chicago to Los Angeles for Thursday. The incident is under investigation.