Investigation finds high water linked to fatal 2018 train derailment in Manitoba

WINNIPEG — A Transportation Safety Board investigation into a fatal train derailment in northern Manitoba has found the neglected track was susceptible to heavy rain and high water levels.

The board’s report says that although rails and ties were in place, they were unsupported.

When the train travelled over the area southwest of Thompson in 2018, the track collapsed, trapping the crew in the wreckage.

The derailment was spotted by a helicopter, but the investigation found there were major gaps in Hudson Bay Railway’s emergency response plan.

Conductor Kevin Anderson died after he was trapped for more than eight hours, and another crew member was injured.

The company has since updated its emergency response plans, repaired the track, inspected culverts and brought back a beaver-control program.