Train derailment delays some Near North school buses

Near North District School Board
News Release

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The Near North District School Board wishes to advise parents and caregivers that, as a result of road closures due to the derailment on the Canadian National railway near James Bay Junction Road, partial bus routes have been affected for some students at the following schools:

Humphrey Public School
Parry Sound High School
Victory Public School
William Beatty Public School

The following Hammond Transportation bus routes are affected by road closures in the Parry Sound area: 521, 523, 524, 536, and 540.

Students whose bus stops cannot be serviced at all, due to road closures, will remain safe with staff at the school until all parents have picked up their children. For those students whose bus stops can still be serviced, parents/guardians and other care givers should be aware that the times of service may be affected. Please be prepared both for the bus to arrive earlier than usual or to be delayed, as the exact effect of the road closures is unknown.

Each school has telephoned parents of students whose bus routes are affected.

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The West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a train derailment on the Canadian National (CN) railway at James Bay Junction Rd., Seguin Tp. at 11am on Friday October 1, 2010.

Investigation by the OPP determined that 10 railway cars left the tracks, bringing the train to a halt. 8 of the affected railway cars contain liquefied propane gas, however, an initial aerial survey of the scene indicates that there are no apparent leaks.

There are no reported injuries. The potential of fire or explosion has lead OPP to evacuate an area of approximately a 1km radius. Fire personnel are on scene and utilizing breathing apparatus to conduct a check of the affected cars. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has assisted in the evacuation of the Oastler Provincial Park. Houses in the immediate area have been evacuated as has been a local school on Rankin Lake Rd.

The north entrance to James Bay Junction Rd. is accessible to traffic. Oastler Park Drive is closed from the Whitfield Restaurant to James Bay Junction Rd.S.

The investigation is continuing and details will be released when available.

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