Got beer?

[cstockmyer]

DENVER -- Several Burlington Northern Santa Fe tank cars crashed and derailed in Denver early Wednesday, leaving a twisted jumble of metal and spilled beer.

The derailment was reported at about 3:30 a.m. in the BNSF switching yard near Park Avenue and Interstate 25.

There were no reports of injuries, but a BNSF engine could be seen heavily damaged in the wreckage.

Railroad spokesman Steve Forsberg told 7NEWS that a switch engine was pushing 34 cars loaded with beer. "The switch engine was trying to build a train when (it) lost control of some of the cars, which then collided with two locomotives and a tanker carrying asphalt."

In other words, the 34 cars were released from the switch engine but the brakes were not applied so the cars rolled through the yard and plowed into the two locomotives and tanker.

Six cars in total derailed. Three were glass-lined tank cars carrying Coors beer. One beer tank lost its load and leaked 18,000 gallons of beer on to the ground. The beer was headed from the Coors plant in Golden to its plant in Virginia, according to the railroad.

The aphalt tanker also lost its load.

Denver Fire officials said a 9-1-1 call was placed to the communications center following the derailment, but that it didn't reach the fire department. Lt. Phil Champagne said whoever placed the call said there was a small diesel spill. He added that "Colorado Environmental Health determined there was a 3,000 gallon diesel spill."

However, Forsberg said that after an investigation byColorado Environmental Health, officials determined there was no fuel spill.

The Denver Fire Department determined there was no fire danger and left the cleanup to BNSF, which said the cleanup would take about 10 hours.

BNSFT is looking into how the accident occurred.

Anyone hear this happen?

 

[jimmnn]

Did not hear it happen but did hear all the media choppers hovering overhead about 550am discussing it and then all the assignment desks calling DFD and fire saying they were not aware of any calls there; opps.

Jim<

 

[mancow]

I'm glad they don't follow the same marketing model that petroleum companies do. Beer would be $100 a case by tomorrow.

 

[dougjgray]

Thats all we need is a beer shortage to go along wth the gasoline shortage, at least if you want you can make your own beer

 

[wlmr]

Thats all we need is a beer shortage to go along wth the gasoline shortage, at least if you want you can make your own beer

This may be even worse than you think!

Loss of beer from one tanker. Loss of asphalt from another. Already high gas prices.

Not only does it already cost more to drive to go get beer & bring it home, but - -
You won't be able to open one as soon as you get it home because the roads will be too rough & the more expensive beer will explode/foam all over if you open it too soon without waiting. This is VERY sad indeed.

Time for a moment of silence here. . . . . .

deep sigh

 

[cstockmyer]

The Denver Fire Department issued two citations to BNSF Railroad Thursday in connection with Wednesday morning's derailment and crash in downtown Denver that spilled beer and asphalt in a rail yard near Interstate 25 and 38th Ave.

Fire officials said the railroad company was cited for failure to notify the department and for having a hazardous materials release. Fuel was spilled in the crash.

Officials expressed frustration about the fact they learned about the derailment and crash from reporters calling to ask if firefighters were involved in the aftermath. Fire officials said there was a "breakdown in communication."

Firefighters sent a crew to investigate the situation, but found the entry to the rail yard blocked by BNSF, said Lt. Phil Champagne of Denver Fire.

Champagne said fire officials met with the rail company Wednesday to work on preventing future problems.

"We just want to be invited to the party," he said.

Denver police and BNSF did confirm that rail officials called the police department at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday to tell officers about the accident. Officers said rail officials didn't tell them there was any danger or hazardous material spill, which is why police didn't notify the fire department.

No one was injured in the train accident and traffic was not effected.


If they blocked the fire equipment from getting to the spill, can't they be charged with obstruction or something? Or is that only used in Law Enforcement issues?

 

[k0co_5]

Lemme get this right....a train accident involving beer and asphalt on private railroad property, and the fire department "wants to be invited to the party"???
Next time I spill BBQ sauce and beer on my back porch, I'll remember to call AFD to the party..... jeez don't they have enough to do?