A BNSF Railway freight train derailed near Olney, closing part of US Highway 93. Traffic is now being routed around the wreck on the Olney Loop Road while workers try and get the freight cars back on the track.
According to Matthew Jones spokesperson of BNSF, 45 empty coal cars derailed early Saturday afternoon. No one was injured in the incident and the cause is under investigation. The derailment happened just west of Olney on the US Highway 93 underpass. At least 2 freight cars were derailed on top of the bridge and others were on their side. None of the cars landed on US Highway 93, however the road was closed due to safety concerns.
The derailment will also delay Amtrak's Empire Builder. According to Marc Magliari spokesperson of Amtrak, the eastbound and westbound trains will be held at Spokane and Whitefish until the tracks are clear.