The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 27 February 2024.
Main-track train derailment
Canadian National Railway Company
Freight train J60352-12
Mile 44.4, Yale Subdivision
Floods, British Columbia
The occurrence
On , at about 0433 Pacific Daylight Time, Canadian National Railway Company freight train J60352-12 was travelling westward at about 50 mph on the Yale Subdivision when 61 cars loaded with potash derailed at Mile 44.4 and piled up between Mile 46.9 and Mile 47.7, in an area near Floods, British Columbia. Fifty-eight of the derailed cars were breached, releasing approximately 6 000 000 kg of product. Small fires along the right-of-way where the train had previously travelled were quickly extinguished. There were no dangerous goods involved. No one was injured.
Media materials
News releases
Broken wheel led to a sudden break in rail and subsequent train derailment near Floods, British Columbia
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB is deploying to a train derailment near Hope, British Columbia
Richmond, British Columbia, 14 September 2020 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying to a Canadian Pacific Railway train derailment on the Canadian National Railway Yale Subdivision near Hope, British Columbia. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R20V0185
Main-track train derailment
Canadian National Railway Company
Freight train J60352-12
Mile 44.4, Yale Subdivision
Floods, British Columbia
Investigator-in-charge
Darlene Roosenboom has been with the Railway/Pipeline Investigations Branch of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) since 2004. Currently Specialist/Senior Investigator, Operations, she has provided oversight on a number of investigations, and is also a trusted agent of TSB’s confidential reporting system, SECURITAS. Before joining the TSB, Ms. Roosenboom worked for Canadian National Railway Company (CN) for 15 years, predominantly as rail traffic controller; she also held management positions in the work program office, and was a crew coordinator. Ms. Roosenboom obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from York University, majoring in Sociology.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.