Train crashes into Webster City laundromat

Traffic will be moving more slowly — or not at all — in parts of Webster City this morning following last night’s train derailment. Eleven cars of a Union Pacific grain train jumped the tracks about 7 p-m and some of the rail cars crushed an occupied business.Webster City Police Chief Tom Wardlow says three people were in the laundromat. Two were able to crawl out, a third person had to be removed by rescue crews. That third person, 83-year-old laundromat owner Bernhard Huisinga, was rushed to a Des Moines hospital where he’s in serious condition. The other two people were not seriously hurt. Chief Wardlow says clean-up crews are trying to remove the tons of grain from Second Street, a main thoroughfare in Webster City. He says they hope to have the street open by late tomorrow. He says the elevated rail bed makes it tougher to clean up. Wardlow says it’s fortunate no dangerous chemicals were on board the train. Damage estimates aren’t yet available.