Minor derailment in Grand Bay-Westfield caused by 'mechanical issue'

There was a minor derailment in Grand Bay-Westfield on Thursday involving an empty wood chip car.

The NB Southern Railway car left the tracks on a straight stretch along the St. John River near Westfield Crescent, said Fire Chief Troy Gautreau.

Company officials called the volunteer fire department around 12:30 p.m. to notify them of the situation, said Gautreau.

"They were just advising us in case anybody called us, or wanted to make us aware of anything that might be going on if they saw them trying to do some work up there," said Gautreau.

"But there was no actual emergency, there was no full derailment, or spill, or anything like that."

NB Southern Railway spokesperson Mary Keith said it was a "mechanical issue with a draw bar connecting two empty wood chip cars."

"All cars are upright. No issues with hazardous materials or injury to any person.Maintenance team is on site," she said in an email.

The incident was reported to provincial and federal authorities, she said.

Nocrosswayswere blocked as a result of the incident, officials said.