(Reeseville) A train derailment in Dodge County on July 4th was a “best case scenario” for emergency responders. First reports came in around 1:55pm that a Canadian Pacific train traveling through the Reeseville area derailed from the track. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says nearby residents called in the accident.
“We got a phone call from a neighbor who…[their] kids were actually out in the pool…and all of a sudden they hear and see all these train [cars] crashing just over the hill from them,” says Schmidt. “The train derailed…the front half of it was okay but there were about 29 cars right in the middle of the train that derailed and did the according style…slamming into each other as they’re turning sideways as the train separated…the front of the train separated from the rear of the train and the tracks were ripped up pretty good. It was a mess out there.”
There were no injuries or chemicals on board, which the sheriff was thankful for.
“And of course as this call is coming in…and I’m responding…I’m thinking the worst…thinking that this is what actually happened…and we didn’t have any chemicals at all…it was grain and ash and that was it…which was fantastic,” says Schmidt. “It was really best case scenario…if you’re going to have a train derailment it was best case scenario of what you could ask for.”
Schmidt credited everyone who came to the scene to assist, adding that even though it was a holiday, and the temperatures were above 90-degrees those factors did not matter to first responders.
Clean-up efforts will continue but there are no obstructions to local traffic which was detoured for several hours Tuesday. There is no word yet on what caused the derailment.
–Photos courtesy of Dakota Moreau Aerial/Click HERE to visit his Facebook page
