Train derailment kills one and injures another south of Washburn
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By Michael Johnson, Editor
One man was killed and another received minor injuries after two Dakota Missouri Valley and Western Railroad engines derailed 2 1/2 miles south of Washburn at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday. As of Friday morning the names of the two men were not released. Authorities believe the embankment along Turtle Creek flowing into the Missouri River gave way leaving no support beneath a short stretch of the tracks. The train was northbound from Bismarck when the two lead engines flipped and rolled on top of each other towards the creek below. A third engine hung on the edge of derailment until railroad crews could hook up another engine and pull the cars and three remaining engines south from the edge at about 2:30 p.m. The first employee was taken by ambulance to Bismarck for minor injuries after reaching the home of Jackie and Richard Olson, which was just up the hill from the scene of the accident. The executive vice president for DMVW, Jeff Wood, released the news that the second employee was found dead at about 4 p.m. It is believed the victim tried to jump from the train as it tipped from the tracks. Fire departments and ambulance services from Washburn and Wilton were on the scene along with crews from DMVW to assist in the rescue. For the full story, check out next week's Leader-News.
