Derailment near Imperial involved Chaffee crew

A northbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train derailed in Jefferson County about 3:30 p.m. Monday after sideswiping a stopped southbound train along Interstate 55 south of Richardson Road in Imperial, Mo.

The crew for both BNSF trains were from Chaffee, Mo., according to a Burlington Northern spokesman, who said the company would not release crew names while the accident is being investigated. Trains traditionally have a two-person crew, one as engineer and one as brake man.

No injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were spilled, but more than a dozen freight cars hauling new sport utility vehicles slipped from the track, spilling their loads beside the interstate.

AmerenUE said about 2,000 customers lost power when the derailment knocked down a utility pole.

Jefferson County sheriff's Capt. Ralph Brown said 16 northbound freight cars and two southbound freight cars were involved. Officials were investigating how the trains came to make contact.