Initial tests of water and air near parts of the Yellowstone River showed no threat to the public after a train laden with hazardous materials plunged into the river on Saturday, state and federal officials said.
A bridge collapsed near Columbus, Montana early Saturday morning, sending several cars laden with hot asphalt and molten sulfur into a river. Stillwater County Ambulance Services Director David Stamey said the car remained in the river on Sunday as crew members sought the best way to remove it amid significant damage. It is said that it was
The Associated Press reported that Staimee said on Sunday that the amount of cargo that had been spilled was not yet known.
Water testing by contractors of the train operator, Montana Rail Link, was overseen by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“Water testing will continue until cleanup is complete, but there are no known risks to public drinking water at this time,” said Kevin Stone, a spokesman for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
Stone also said preliminary water quality sampling did not detect any petroleum hydrocarbons, which could come from hot asphalt or molten sulfur, the Associated Press said.
EPA contractors are monitoring air quality downwind of the collapsed bridge, and local EPA office spokesman Rich Milott said no toxic fumes have been detected so far.
The Federal Railway Administration is investigating the derailment.
Visit The Hill for the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos.
