FIELD, B.C. – Condolences flooded Albe Bulmer’s social media status hours after he announced his son, Daniel Waldenberger-Bulmer, was one of the three men who died in a CP train derailment near Field, B.C., on Monday (Feb. 4).
“I am sad to report that I have lost one of the jewels in my crown last night in a tragic accident while he was training to be a conductor for CP rail,” Albe Bulmer wrote.
“He will be sadly missed by me his father and mentor as he loved adventure and challenges as I do … my heart also goes out to his coworkers' family and friends as well.”
Conductor Dylan Paradis and engineer Andrew Dockrell were named as the other two victims in a press release from Canadian Pacific Railway late Monday afternoon.
“In the hours ahead, we remain focused on employee safety and the safety of our first responders, in addition to working closely with the families of the deceased and all our employees,” Keith Creel, CP president and CEO said in a press release.
“This is a tragedy that will have a long-lasting impact on our family of railroaders. The incident is under investigation and we will not speculate at this time on a cause – we owe it to those involved to get it right.”
On Monday morning east and westbound vehicles on the Trans-Canada Highway slowed down to half the posted speed limit, as drivers crawled passed the flashing lights with CP Rail and emergency personnel blocking access to the scene where up to 60 train cars left the track.
According to officials, the westbound freight train derailed at about 1 a.m. near the Spiral Tunnels west of Field. The Transport Safety Board said it sent four investigators to the site after the accident was reported to them at 2:10 a.m.
STARS air ambulance was called but stood down due to weather and safety concerns. They would not have been able to safely land.
Eric Collard, TBS spokesperson, said the only access to the site is by a high-rail, essentially trucks modified for train tracks. He said investigators will look for the locomotive event recorder, similar to a black box.
“We’ll gather as much information as we can … on throttle position, speed, direction, distance,” Collard said. “We’ll collect data, conduct interviews with personnel and first responders and others and examine and photograph the wreckage.”
On-scene personnel were not offering comment Monday afternoon, as CP Rail, emergency personnel and several semis towing excavators were brought in to assess and clear the wreck. It is believed the cars were carrying canola oil and grain.
“The extend of the environmental impact of the derailment is currently unknown. Based on initial assessment, there is no threat to public safety,” Lesley Matheson, Parks Canada partnering and engagement officer stated in an email.
“Parks Canada is committed to the protection of the environment in national parks and is working closely with CP Rail to determine the extent of the clean-up operation required.”
The accident happened approximately 100 kilometres west of Canmore. This is the second CP train derailment near Field, B.C. this year. The first occurred Jan. 3 when a train came off the tracks inside one of the Spiral Tunnels. No one was injured in that derailment, but 16 empty freight cards left the track.
UPDATE
On Tuesday (Feb. 5), the TBS confirmed preliminary indications showed the derailment was due to a "loss of control."
Read the full story in the Feb. 7 edition of the Rocky Mountain Outlook.
