Early Saturday morning a freight train jumped the tracks just outside Henderson in Le Sueur County, tipping multiple cars onto their sides and dumping grain along the rail line. Local officials reported no injuries, and Union Pacific crews moved in quickly to secure the wreck and begin the cleanup. Nearby roads were temporarily shut down while emergency responders and railroad workers checked the damage.
What happened
The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office said the derailment was called in at about 2:39 a.m. near Highway 19 and Henderson Station Road in Tyrone Township, according to KSTP. Union Pacific told investigators that eight rail cars derailed, several of them ending up on their sides. Officials have not yet released any information on what caused the crash.
Response and safety
Union Pacific said some of the derailed cars were tankers carrying methane and propane, but reported no leaks, according to KARE11. The railroad added that its own response team was managing the scene and that no fire or emergency medical response was required.
Local impact
Photos taken by Jennifer Olson and shared with local outlets show several cars on their sides with grain spilling out of open hoppers. Authorities asked the public to steer clear of the area while Union Pacific handles the cleanup, according to Bring Me The News. Residents in Henderson were told to avoid the scene and be ready for lane closures that could last for several hours. Emergency crews stayed on site through the morning while specialized equipment was brought in to deal with the wreckage.
Context
This crash comes on the heels of other recent freight derailments in Minnesota, including a March 28 incident north of Warroad that led to precautionary evacuations, although officials there also reported no leaks, as reported by the Star Tribune. Local officials near Henderson said they would release more details as the investigation moves forward.
