Chaos unfolded in Corvallis yesterday afternoon when a train trestle collapsed as a Portland & Western Railroad freight train crossed, leading to a derailment and an ecological scare. KATU News reports that the incident occurred near Avery Park, with a 19-car train caught mid-crossing when the structure gave way, sending a container of urea, a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, tumbling into Mary's River.

The Corvallis Police Department has since confirmed the trestle's failure after noon, which not only plunged one car into the river but also left two others dangling in a precarious state, a detail KGW News highlighted as part of the harrowing scene. Environmental agencies responded alongside local first responders to address the potential hazards posed by the derailed substances and the stability of the remaining train cars.

Although the official accident cause remains under investigation, the fallout from the collapse is clear, with the emergency response still active and no reported injuries to date as per local authorities; meanwhile, Portland & Western Railroad has committed to cooperating with said authorities, according to statements obtained by various news outlets.

Worries concerning the environmental impact of the urea spill into the river system have not been quelled, with a spokesperson from the railroad company assuring that the occurrence was being addressed in coordination with environmental experts, this according to KOIN News, the incident presents a pressing concern for the ecosystem of Mary's River, with its effects potentially extending beyond the immediate vicinity to affect larger swaths of the local aquatic life and water quality in the long term.