Small coal train derails near Lytton, B.C. | CBC News


Small coal train derails near Lytton, B.C. | CBC News

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A small train carrying coal derailed near Lytton, B.C., Saturday morning.

It happened on a stretch of railway along the Thompson River between the community and Big Horn.

Tricia Thorpe, electoral director of the area, says early indications show that the coal did not spill out of the containers.

a close up of two derailed train cars
About five train cars carrying coal derailed between Lytton and Bighorn, B.C., on April 18, 2026. No coal is believed to have been spilled. (Tricia Thorpe)

“From what I can see and what I’ve heard, it looks like this could have been far worse,” Thorpe said.

“No spillage has occurred, but there are five cars off the track, mostly upright and it looks like it was a large rock that came down off the mountainside.”

Thorpe says the incident can be seen from Highway 1 and Canadian National Railway crews are on the scene responding.

CBC News has reached out to CN Rail for more details.

the end a train car showing several derailed containers along a mountainside above a river
About five train cars carrying coal derailed near Lytton, B.C., on April 18, 2025 (Tricia Thorpe)