Clean up is underway in O’Brien County after several cars of a Union Pacific freight train derailed early this morning. Union Pacific spokeswoman, Raquel Espinoza, says the accident happened three miles north of Sheldon.
“We had about 19 rail cars derail from a southbound train that was traveling on the line that parallels Highway 60. There were not injuries fortunately, however seven cars did released soybean oil and soybean meal,” Espinoza says. She says Highway 60 is not blocked, but some county roads have been shut off by the accident.
“We are working with local authorities to ensure that there are alternate routes for drivers, but at this time we want to be sure that we can get the proper equipment into the area and we will start opening up some of the roads as soon as we can,” according to Espinoza.
Officials are still trying to figure out what caused the cars to go off the track.
By Woody Gottburg, KSCJ, Sioux City