Monday, July 16, 2018

Flooding caused by heavy rains contributed to the derailment of a Union Pacific train, off the I-10 frontage road between Twin Peaks and Marana Roads north of Tucson, AZ









Train derails in Tucson near Interstate 10
Arizona Republic 


July 10, 2018


Flooding caused by heavy rains apparently contributed to the derailment, off the I-10 frontage road between Twin Peaks and Marana Roads. Northwest Fire Department

A Union Pacific train derailed north of Tucson near Interstate 10 on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

Flooding caused by heavy rains contributed to the derailment, which occurred on the east side of the I-10 frontage road between Twin Peaks and Marana roads, according to posts on Twitter by the Marana Police Department and Northwest Fire District.

The crash closed the frontage road, but I-10 remained open, although the Arizona Department of Transportation said backups were starting to occur on the interstate in the area late in the afternoon.

Northwest Fire District officials posted video of the derailment on Twitter. They added they had been responding to swift-water rescue calls in the area after the heavy storm.

The Arizona Daily Star reported that 20 cars were derailed, according to fire officials, who added that the cleanup could take 24 to 48 hours.