Cargo trains collide, derail in Missouri
Cargo trains collide, derail in Missouri; 7 injured, state highway overpass buckles
CHAFFEE, Mo. (AP) -- A collision between two cargo trains in southeast Missouri has injured seven people.
Scott County Sheriff's Office Dispatcher Clay Slipis said the collision happened early Saturday morning near Chaffee when a Union Pacific train hit a Burlington Northern train.
Slipis said several cars derailed and hit a pillar of the Highway M overpass, bringing it down. Two cars were on that stretch of road.
Seven people — five in the vehicles and both train conductors — were taken to a local hospital. Slipis said all but one was treated and released; the seventh is listed in good condition.
He said a diesel fire broke out after the collision, but was quickly extinguished. The highway is shut down for about 8 miles.
Burlington Northern is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
The collision comes just a week after a two commuter trains collided in Connecticut, leaving more than 70 people injured.
