A man was injured when a freight train carrying grain and lumber crashed into a tree lying across train tracks and derailed late last night in Westminster, authorities say.
“These cars are just mangled,” said Trevor Materasso, spokesman for the Westminster Police Department. “It could have been substantially worse.”
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe train struck the tree lying on the tracks near Wadsworth Parkway and 95th Avenue at about 10:36 p.m. last night and skidded for about a quarter-mile before derailing, Materasso said.
Investigators will try to determine whether the tree was blown onto the tracks or was intentionally placed on the tracks, he said.
There were three railroad employees aboard when the train derailed and one was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, Materasso said.
Diesel fuel spilled from one of four train engines that pulled 37 cars, he said. Firefighters were able to quickly seal the leak. The train was not carrying hazardous materials.
The train was hauling building supplies and lumber, Materasso said.
One lane of northbound Wadsworth Parkway has been shut off because of the accident, he said.
It is unknown how long it will take crews to clear the rail cars and debris.
“We are still working on it,” Materasso said.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com