8 Feb 2019, 2:30 p.m.
A derailed freight train has spilled mining product into floodwaters in north west Queensland.
A FREIGHT train carrying zinc, lead and copper anode has tipped in floodwaters at Nelia, 60km east of Julia Creek.
Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said the freight train had been stowed at Nelia since January 31 as a precaution due to the heavy rainfall on the Mount Isa Line.
Aerial inspections on Thursday afternoon showed some of the train’s 80 wagons had tipped from the force of the flooding, with mining products spilling into the water.
Queensland Rail has reported the issue to emergency services, Department of Environment and Science and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator.
Mr Easy said Queensland Rail will work closely with those agencies to respond to the issue and will keep the local community updated.
The Department of Environment and Science was contacted for comment and said they were working closely with Queensland Rail.
Major flooding remains across the region, with agencies mobilising to provide emergency fodder relief to graziers affected by the extreme weather.
The story Unprecedented flooding event derails freight train first appeared on North Queensland Register.