Area trains detail

KINGMAN – A second northern Arizona train derailment occurred in Kingman early morning, March 16, hours after the first incident occurred near the rural community of Topock. Kingman Fire Department personnel responded first before Northern Arizona Fire Chief Dennis Hoke responded shortly before 2 am.

Hoke said the derailment occurred within the Kingman Airport Industrial Park, across from the Love’s depot.

“I talked to the engineer and the conductor who were incredibly uncooperative in providing any information,” Chief Hoke said. “Finally, I was able to get ahold of the trainmaster who told me that it was 10 cars that were derailed, they were all empty and that the hazardous material that was on the train had not derailed and they had actually disconnected and pulled the haz mat (cars) away from the derailed cars.”

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway provided no information regarding the Kingman incident, but acknowledged the first derailment occurred near the Arizona-California border about 7:40 p.m. Wednesday.

“BNSF Railway can confirm that a train carrying corn syrup derailed near Topock,” said railroad spokeswoman Lena Kent. “There were no injuries as a result of the derailment and preliminary reports indicate there are no hazardous materials involved.”

Kent said that eight cars appear to have derailed. “The main track is blocked and an estimated time for reopening the tracks is not available,” she said.

Dave Hawkins