Wooden bridge suddenly collapses: Freight train lands in the river

Corvallis (Oregon/USA) - A wooden bridge over the Marys River in the USA suddenly collapsed under the weight of a freight train. Several wagons ended up in the river. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

At least one wagon ended up in the river and two others are in a precarious position.
At least one wagon ended up in the river and two others are in a precarious position.  © Corvallis Police Department

Suddenly the bridge collapsed.

In a train accident on Saturday afternoon near the city of Corvallis in the US state of Oregon, several freight cars crashed into a river. This was reported by the local station KPTV.

According to the report, the trestle bridge over the Marys River suddenly broke away under the weight of a freight train consisting of 19 wagons.

One wagon fell into the river and two others were "unstable", a police spokesman told KATU. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

According to initial information, the train was carrying urea for fertilizer production and was travelling for the Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR).

It was initially unclear whether and how much cargo had leaked. The local police asked residents to avoid the water.

The freight train had loaded plenty of urea.
The freight train had loaded plenty of urea.  © Corvallis Police Department
The emergency services are working around the clock to prevent an environmental disaster on the Marys River.
The emergency services are working around the clock to prevent an environmental disaster on the Marys River.  © Corvallis Police Department

Meanwhile, the clean-up work is in full swing. Specialists are on site and have set up barriers to filter any leaking material and thus avert a potential environmental disaster.