An eight car train derailment on Rothesay Avenue disrupted diners, but no one was hurt.
The derailment happened around 6:30 p.m. near the Med Restaurant and Splash Thai Cuisine when two open cars carrying wood chips, an empty tanker carrying molten sulphur and five hoppers filled with potash left the tracks.
Traffic was quickly shut down in the area.
Deputy Fire Chief Mike Carr said after the building was evacuated, a quick check of the scene determined there was no immediate hazard
“There was no hazardous materials involved in this incident. There was an issue that it’s in close proximity to Emera Gas pipeline. Brunswick Gas arrived on scene and took care of the incident. There was no compromise of the natural gas pipeline,” Carr said.
Eight cars derailed behind the Mediterranean Restaurant in Saint John, N.B. The restaurant was evacuated. No one was injured. pic.twitter.com/MXUC7lpoUx
— Tamara Steele (she/her) 🇨🇦 (@tamarasteele1) June 20, 2020
Carr said the restaurants and their diners and staff were not hurt.
“There was no damage to the Med restaurant. All verified by Liberty Gas. All the patrons are fine. There were no injuries to the people and the first responders in this incident,” Carr said.
Traffic was moving on Rothesay Avenue after 8 p.m. and Saint John fire crews left the scene 30 minutes later.
The process to clear the tracks by N.B. Southern Railway, CN Rail and their partners is expected to begin Sunday morning.
McAllister Drive to Russell Street and Ashburn Lake Rd Are reopened to traffic. Thanks for your patience and have a great evening!
— Saint John Police (@saintjohnpolice) June 20, 2020
