A Union Pacific train derailed into the Gunnison River late on the night of December 3 after a rockfall and a large boulder blocked the tracks between Whitewater and Bridgeport.

Two engineers were on board at the time of the derailment and had to be rescued from the water. Union Pacific confirmed that no injuries were reported, and both engineers were safely removed.

Fire officials said the engineers were submerged in about two feet of water, placing them at risk of hypothermia rather than drowning. They were transported in a warm ambulance, where paramedics evaluated them.

The derailment involved two locomotives and five loaded coal cars. Some fuel leaked into the river, but fire department hazmat units deployed containment booms to capture diesel, oil, and other materials.

The incident prompted a multi-agency response, including the Grand Junction Fire Department, Mesa County Fire Authority, and private company Suncor.

Ben Blehm, Battalion Chief of the Grand Junction Fire Department, described the rescue efforts:

“We were able to get what they call a high roller, which is one of the railroad pickup trucks that can drive on the rails. The high roller took in two of our technical rescue and extrication experts, along with two personnel from the sheriff’s office, the Mesa County search and rescue team, and drove them into the incident. From there, they were able to walk down the rail that was on its side, and they used our extrication equipment to open the door and then used a little bit of rope rigging to help the patients out of the compartment and then get them back to safety. We set up some booms in the river to catch any diesel or oil that we could, and we actually did a couple of booms. We were able to get extra material and set that up as quickly as possible to ensure that nothing goes downstream that we can’t catch. From there, the railroad had hazmat teams come from Denver and Salt Lake so that they could pump everything out and remove anything that we caught in the booms to make sure that we do everything we can to keep the Gunnison and the Colorado River clean.”

Authorities continue to assess the track and surrounding area for safety before reopening the route.

Image: Grand Junction Colorado Fire Department