CPR, Red Deer reach agreement on derailment claims

The City of Red Deer and Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) have reached agreement on city claims related to the Feb. 2 derailment of an ammonia car and the subsequent two-day evacuation of about 5,000 Red Deer residents. The agreement concluded with payment by CPR of $375,000 to cover expenses incurred by Red Deer during the evacuation.

CPR continues to receive claims from residents and businesses evacuated during the February incident. To date, the railway has reimbursed about 581 residents and 29 businesses. The terms of these settlements were not disclosed.

The City of Red Deer, CPR and other agencies involved in the evacuation had a debriefing on Feb. 12, where i t was determined that the success of the emergency response was attributable to a high level of co-operation between The City, the railway and emergency response officials, including those who came from other cities to assist.

CPR’s investigation of the incident determined that the derailment was caused by a track irregularity. The Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the cause of the rupture of the tank car.