SAINT-ALEXANDRE-DE-KAMOURASKA, QC — A potentially catastrophic collision ended with zero injuries early Monday morning after a Via Rail passenger train struck two semi-trailers and jumped the tracks in Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent region.

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The Incident at a Glance

At approximately 1:30 a.m., Via Rail’s “The Ocean” service—en route from Montreal to Halifax—collided with two 53-foot trailers parked near the tracks. The impact was severe enough to derail the train’s two lead locomotives, bringing the journey to a sudden halt.

Key Facts

• Casualties: None. All 124 passengers and crew members, as well as the truck occupants, were unharmed.
• The Cause: Provincial police (Sûreté du Québec) report the trucks were parked dangerously close to the rail line, likely due to a driver error while backing into a nearby parking area.
• Emergency Response: Because the collision knocked out the train’s heating, passengers were evacuated to the local town hall to stay warm before being moved to buses.
• Environmental Concerns: Crews are currently managing a diesel spill caused by the damaged locomotives.

Ongoing Investigations

The site remains active as two separate investigations begin:

1. The Transportation Safety Board (TSB): Analyzing the mechanics of the crash and rail safety protocols.
2. CN Police: Investigating the positioning of the vehicles and potential negligence by the trucking company.

Service Status

Rail travel remains suspended on this corridor. Via Rail has implemented a “bus bridge” for passengers traveling between Montreal and Halifax until the locomotives are uprighted and the tracks are repaired.