High water reported where train derailed

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 22, 2009

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) -- There was high water along the northern Illinois rail line where a freight train derailed, setting off a fiery explosion and killing one person, federal authorities said Sunday.

It's unclear what the exact water levels were during Friday's crash and what role if any water played in the accident, said Robert Sumwalt of the National Transportation Safety Board. Parts of northern Illinois may have gotten as much as 4 inches of rain Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Sunday was the first full day federal investigators spent at the accident site. Burning tanker cars kept them at bay for much of Saturday.

Canadian National Railway Company officials say 18 rail cars loaded with ethanol left the tracks, exploding into flames. Zoila Tellez, 41, of Rockford, abandoned her car at a rail crossing and made it 20 feet before she died.