A press release from VIA Rail Canada; July 5, 2018:
Montréal, July 5 2018 – Train 693 that runs between Winnipeg and The Pas has derailed, approximately 37 km north of the town of Hudson Bay, in Saskatchewan, at 3:05 am central time. The train was on its way to The Pas, Manitoba. The train consisted of 8 cars. 2 locomotives and one baggage car derailed on their side. All passengers’ cars remained upright.
16 passengers and 5 crew members were on the train at the time of the derailment. Passengers and crew were taken to the Hudson Bay Health Care Facility to be assessed and treated as needed and all have now been discharged.
VIA Rail is ensuring all passengers and crew members are safely transported to Winnipeg where accommodation will be provided until they get to their final destination.
VIA Rail has set up a hotline for families: 1-877-747-0707 and trauma counselling is being offered to passengers and crew members.
VIA Rail services between Winnipeg and Gillam are suspended until further notice.
About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada’s national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and all its employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada, and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, and safely transports approximately 4.4 million passengers annually. The Corporation has been awarded five Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada since 2007. Visit the “About VIA Rail” section at: www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.