Two Union Pacific trains were involved in a derailment incident Monday morning near Sinclair, Wyoming, resulting in at least 15 rail cars leaving the tracks, according to local reports.
The derailment occurred around 9:30 a.m. on June 9, just east of Rawlins in Carbon County. A Union Pacific spokesperson confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that no injuries were reported.
Carbon County Fire Chief John Rutherford attributed the derailment to a “catastrophic failure” of a wheel bearing on one of the tank cars. The majority of the derailed cars were reported to be carrying a fuel additive that is not classified as hazardous. Rutherford added that some of the substance had begun to evaporate at the scene.
The derailment took place near Sinclair, a town located along Union Pacific’s Laramie Subdivision and home to a major oil refinery. Emergency responders were on site to assess the situation and monitor for any environmental or safety concerns.
An investigation into the exact cause and impact of the derailment is underway. Union Pacific has not released additional details regarding potential disruptions to rail traffic or cleanup operations.
With input from Trains.com.
