PASCO, Wash. (AP) — An evacuation ended at noon Monday at a Pasco rail yard where two trains collided, derailing two locomotives and 10 rail cars, and spilling 10,000 gallons of ethanol and a drip of corn syrup.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas (mel-OWN’-us) says the fuel additive leak from one tanker has been contained in dikes and sprayed with foam. The cleanup is under way. He described the leak from a tanker of corn syrup as just a drip.
About 20 workers from nearby businesses have been allowed to return to work. The switch yard should be back to normal Tuesday.
A broken coupler caused 46 cars to roll into the idling train of two locomotives and 31 cars at 3:40 a.m. Monday. Three crewmen got safely out of the way.