By Dave Thompson
Minot, ND – A C-P Rail train jumped the tracks early this morning southwest of Minot, N. D.
The train was carrying several cars filled with the farm fertilizer anhydrous ammonia. Five of those cars ruptured, sending an ammonia cloud into the city of Minot. Officials warned people to stay inside, to cover cracks and other openings, and to shut down their furnaces, to prevent the chemical from seeping into their homes.
One man -- who lived close to the derailment -- was killed. Dozens more sought treatment at the Trinity Medical Center and local clinics. A few were hos
Schools, businesses and local governments shut down for the day, and Minot police blocked off several major streets and highways.
North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven says he was told about the accident at about 3:30 a.m., and he says it appears Minot officials did the right things in making sure citizens were protected. Hoeven toured the site of the derailment by helicopter.
Minot Mayor Carroll Erickson says city officials took every precation they could to make sure residents were "super-safe."
C-P Rail says it may be days before they determine what caused the derailment.