A scenic excursion train carrying approximately 350 people partially derailed yesterday afternoon northeast of Skagway.
The incident, which took place around 2:00 p.m., involved two vintage locomotives and four passenger rail cars belonging to the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway company.
The exact cause of the accident is still unknown.
The precise number of injuries has yet to be determined but early reports indicate at least 19 people were treated for minor injuries.
“Any injury connected to our rail operations, whether to our passengers or our employees, is always considered serious,” said John Finlayson, president of the company, in a news release yesterday evening.
“Although we have not yet identified the specific cause or causes of the incident, a thorough investigation has been undertaken, and all reasonable efforts will be made to ensure that safe operations remain the overriding focus of our workforce and management team.”
The company’s operations have been temporarily suspended in order to allow an investigation to proceed.
Finlayson said he was unsure how long the repairs would take or when operations would resume.
Contact Myles Dolphin at myles@yukon-news.com