Investigation still in progress after 10 railcars plunged into the Yellowstone River
A year after 10 Montana Rail link railcars plummeted into the Yellowstone near Reed Point, sending nearly 412,000 pounds of molten asphalt into the river, federal authorities have yet to release their findings on the cause of the crash.
The Federal Railroad Administration told Montana Free Press that the crash, which occurred on June 24, 2023, is still under investigation. FRA spokesperson William Wong did not provide a timeline for the release of its report but did say the agency is in the final phase of its investigation.
A report Montana Rail Link provided to the FRA in the weeks after the accident says only that a portion of its train derailed while crossing a bridge over the Yellowstone. Sixteen of the 35 rail cars carrying hazardous materials derailed or were damaged in the incident.