N.M. Train Derailment Kills Three Locomotive Operators

Dec. 01--SILVER CITY -- Three train operators were killed Saturday when a locomotive for Southwestern Railroad derailed around noon and fell 40 to 50 feet into an arroyo off State Highway 356 at mile post three, three miles from Bayard. The cause of the accident was unknown as of late Saturday afternoon.

The families of the men have not all been notified, so police would not release their names as of 5 p.m. Saturday. At least one man was a local resident, New Mexico State Police Sgt. Oscar Sosa said. The three men were all inside the locomotive at the time of the accident. No one else was hurt.

The train derailment caused a diesel fuel leak, and members of the Silver City Fire Department worked to contain the leak and a hazmat operation was underway late Saturday to clean up the spill.

Six law enforcement officers, including New Mexico State Police and the Grant County Sheriff's department, along with firefighters from the Silver City Fire Department and the Bayard Volunteer Department were dispatched to assist with the accident cleanup. The train, operated by Southwestern Railroad, was carrying a form of iron that is not hazardous, Operations Manager for Southwestern Railroad Chris Grimes said.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. Silver City Fire Department were still trying to extract the bodies of the three dead men from the locomotive.

The locomotive was pulling eight cars south to Santa Rita when it fell off the track. The eight supply cars continued to run along the track until they reached a curve in the tracks and then derailed. The Federal Railroad Administration has been contacted and will investigate the cause of the accident, Sgt. Sosa said.

The accident occurred on Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold property. Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold owns and operates Chino Mine.

It has not yet been determined who will be responsible for paying for the clean up, Grimes said.

The families of the three victims were expected to be notified by the end of Saturday.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold declined to comment on the accident, said Kevin Cook, manager of community development.

Susan Dunlap may be reached at 575-538-5893, ext. 5803.

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