Train Crashes Near Corvallis

A freight train carrying agricultural chemicals derailed outside of Corvallis midday Saturday, after a bridge collapsed into the Marys River.  Tim Smith manages an emergency scanner Facebook page and lives about a mile from the bridge.

"My son and I had actually been out- we had gone to a garage sale and saw that train headed through Corvallis," Smith said.  "And about 15 minutes after we got home, my phone lit up that the bridge had failed and the train was in the river."

He was on-scene within 20 minutes of the crash and says he saw one freight car completely submerged in the water.

"The bridge over the river was probably an early 20th century riveted steel structure. So that steel structure is also in the river with the car. It’s kind of all jumbled in there together."

Smith added the bridge caught fire about three years ago, but was almost immediately put back into use.  He believes the pilings were weakened by that incident.  No one was hurt and environmental response crews are working to contain any potential chemical leaks.

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