Train Derails In Nova Scotia

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STEWIACKE, Nova Scotia — A passenger train with more than 120 people aboard derailed in Nova Scotia on Thursday, and one of its cars smashed into a building by the tracks. About 20 people were hurt, five of them seriously, but none of the injuries was considered life-threatening.

Nine of the Via Rail train's 14 cars went off the track in Stewiacke in the central part of the Atlantic coast province, town Mayor Bruce Lohnes said. Three cars toppled onto their sides, and one lay mangled on top of a feed store and warehouse. The train sheared off telephone poles along the tracks.



Don Wood, who works in the feed store, said he and his customers ran outside just before the train plowed through the building, destroying the warehouse.



"It was just a rumble, almost like thunder. It lasted a few seconds and the floor sort of raised under us," Wood said. "The three customers and myself just made one beeline for the door. ... I'm thankful we all got out."



Lohnes said five people were seriously injured, and police and other officials said about 20 people were hurt. Moe Green of the Nova Scotia health department described most of the injured as "walking wounded" and said none of the injuries was considered life-threatening.



Canada's Transportation Safety Board said the train derailed in the early afternoon after leaving Halifax, the province's capital, for Montreal. Transport Canada spokesman Paul Doucet said the train was traveling at 50 miles per hour when it left the tracks in Stewiacke, 30 miles north of Halifax.



There were 109 passengers and 14 crew members aboard the train, said Cpl. Chris Paley of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The cause of the derailment was being investigated, he said.