Coaldale RCMP responded to a serious crash between a semi tractor-trailer and a train east of Lethbridge on Thursday morning that sent a man to hospital and leaked diesel into an irrigation canal.
Authorities say that at about 9:40 a.m., emergency crews responded to the scene of the crash at Highway 3 and Range Road 211.
Police say the truck, hauling an empty trailer, was westbound on Highway 3 when it suddenly turned north across the rail crossing, into the path of a CP Rail train heading east.
The impact of the crash separated the truck and trailer, throwing the vehicle off Range Road 211 and into St. Mary’s River Irrigation District canal on the north side of the tracks. The trailer was left overturned on the south side.
The driver, from Calgary, was trapped inside the wreckage and needed to be extricated by members of the Lethbridge Fire Department.
The middle-aged male was transported to Chinook Regional Hospital in stable, non-life threatening condition.
Hazardous materials teams from the LFD were also deployed to contain the spill of diesel fuel into the canal and remain on scene to monitor the conditions of the water.
Representatives from the Irrigation District and Alberta Environment remain on scene to investigate the spill.
One lane of Highway 3 was blocked off for about three hours following the incident, but Range Road 211 remains closed until the wreckage can be towed out of the canal.
There is no word on any charges in connection with the incident.
CP Rail police have taken over the investigation.
