Cargo train derails in Big Lake; no one injured

BIG LAKE — A train derailment early Saturday morning in Big Lake created quite a mess, but led to no injuries or threat to the public, according to the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office.

A BNSF train carrying consumer goods derailed near Big Lake at approximately 3:15 a.m. last Saturday with 15 rail cars impacted, the SCSO said.

While authorities said no one was hurt and no hazardous materials were spilled, there was a significant impact on traffic, as the incident left a stretch of 172nd Street Northwest between 197th Avenue and County Road 14 blocked while crews worked to clear the area.

The incident reportedly happened just west of the Northstar Commuter Rail stop, which carries riders into downtown Minneapolis. Because of this, BNSF’s two main lines were impacted and trains bound for Minneapolis were canceled.

Both tracks were reopened on Sunday, BNSF said in a press release.

BNSF operates one of the largest freight railroad networks in North America, with 32,500 miles of rail across the western two-thirds of the United States.

The Big Lake derailment was the company’s second of the day, with an earlier incident taking place at around 12:45 a.m. near Ottwawa, Kan. In that incident, the only cargo spilled was a large amount of corn, according to the local sheriff’s office there in Franklin County.