Shortly before 11:00 p.m., law enforcement, fire and EMS were dispatched to a train derailment along the Gunnison River near Highway 141 and Highway 50. Mesa County Sheriff’s units, East County Fire Authority and ambulance crews were paged to stage in the area.
Radio traffic indicated a locomotive went into the river and crew members were in the water trying to exit the engineer’s side; initial reports indicated two people involved. Responders reported roughly two feet of water inside the locomotive, very cold conditions and concern for hypothermia. Rescue resources being deployed included inflatable carry boats, water rescue swimmers, drone reconnaissance and search-and-rescue teams. Dispatch advised best access is likely by boat or helicopter and noted a boat ramp about four to five miles from the incident; units were asked to respond with lights and sirens to the staging area.
Train is carrying coal as its cargo.
Update: Railroad crews are dispatching rail trucks to ride rails to the accident scene.
Update 11:45 p.m.: Both crew members are in radio contact with Union Pacific dispatch. They are reporting no injuries, but water is in the cabin and both are cold / wet in freezing temperatures. Hazmat has been dispatched.
Details are based on live scanner traffic and may change as official information is released.
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