Original Blog Entry: Freight Trains Collide

NBey6 — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:23:47 GMT

Freight trains collide, rail cars fall into river

At least 2 injuries reported after derailment near Wis.-Minn. border

BREAKING NEWS

NBC News and msnbc.com

updated 9:25 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 17, 2008

DRESBACH, Minn. - Two freight trains collided sending derailed cars plummeting into the Mississippi River and sparking a liquid ammonia leak, police said Wednesday.

Emergency crews were sent to the scene near the Wisconsin border after the collision at around 5.30a.m. local time.

NBC News affiliate WTMJ reported that up to 40 railway cars were involved but it was unclear how many were in the river.

Winona County Sheriff Dave Brand told KAGE Radio that two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Officials said the ammonia leak posed no danger to the public.

One train had reportedly left Portage, Wis., and was heading to St. Paul, Minn.

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