CPKC says rock slide may have caused Kamloops Lake derailment that spilled jet fuel

A rock slide may have contributed to a derailment of Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) trains near Kamloops, resulting in a spill of over 70,000 litres of jet fuel on Nov. 1. The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, and results from water sampling at Kamloops Lake remain below B. C. ’s drinking-water quality guidelines.

Mike LoVecchio, CPKC's director of Indigenous relations, noted the investigation could take years, emphasizing that track maintenance is crucial in preventing such accidents. Local resident Shane Gottfriedson expressed worries over how maintenance is conducted, especially near waterways. He questioned the adequacy of inspections if a rock slide indeed caused the derailment. CPKC has completed the removal of the last rail car from the site, marking a significant step in the recovery process. LoVecchio assured the community of the company's commitment to site cleanup and ongoing testing.

The incident has raised broader concerns about railway safety and environmental protection in the region.