Montana bridge collapses, freight train falls into Yellowstone River

A bridge over the Yellowstone River in Montana collapsed Saturday morning and several freight train cars filled with hazardous substances fell into the water, authorities said.

The railcars were carrying asphalt and sulfur, Stillwater County Emergency Chief David Stamey said. Officials closed downstream drinking water intakes while they assessed the situation. a journalist from Associated Press he saw a yellow liquid being spilled from tank cars.

Stamey said, however, that there was no immediate danger to the crews working on the site, and the hazardous substances were being diluted in the floodwaters of the river.

The train workers were safe and no injuries were caused by the collapse of the bridge, said Andy Garland, a spokesman for the Montana Rail Link company.

Garland said “several” tank cars were partially submerged in the river and railroad crews were working at the site in Stillwater County near Columbus, a town 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Billings.

“We are committed to resolving any potential impacts to the area as a result of this incident and are seeking to understand the causes of the accident,” Garland said.

In neighboring Yellowstone County, authorities said they had taken emergency measures at water treatment plants due to “potential spillage of hazardous substances” and asked people to conserve water.

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