A car from a CN Rail train that derailed just south of Pemberton fell on Highway 99 on Thursday (Jan. 3), blocking both lanes of traffic on the highway for almost two hours.
No one was injured in the mishap, which occurred at the base of Suicide Hill, about eight kilometres south of Pemberton, at 1:54 p.m., RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair wrote in a statement.
One car sustained minor damage from “flying debris,” he said.
Three empty cars from the northbound freight train derailed, with one falling onto Highway 99 below, LeClair said. The highway was closed while the damage was assessed and then reopened to single-lane, alternating traffic at about 3:45 p.m.
The highway was open to single-lane, alternating traffic while crews removed the fallen rail car and other debris from the roadway. Two-way traffic was restored late Friday. Drive B.C. reports that the highway will be down to single-lane traffic in the area on Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for " construction."
A witness at the scene told the Whistler Question that a car in the southbound lane had to quickly reverse to avoid the falling rail car. The two people in the vehicle escaped injury.
Check back with www.squamishchief.com for more on this developing story.
