News Flash!

Two people killed, 100 injured in VIA Rail derailment

THAMESVILLE, ONTARIO -- A VIA Rail passenger train has derailed near the town of Thamesville in southwestern Ontario about 100 kilometres east of Windsor, killing at least two people.

The train was en route from Windsor to Toronto when it derailed at about noon local time. There were approximately 183 passengers on board.

"Bits of pieces of train were lying around," one eyewitness told CBC News. "People were running around, yelling. People were going crazy. They couldn't believe what had happened."

Preliminary reports say over 100 people have been taken to hospital and police have confirmed at least two people have died.

BLE Safety Task Force member Don Morgan has been dispatched to the scene of the accident to assist the Transport Safety Board during its investigation. Mobilization Coordinator Randy Stinchcomb and BLE Peer Support Counselor Tony Frost will also assist families and members.

Thamesville is about 60 miles northeast of Detroit.

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