PUEBLO COUNTY
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The derailment resulted in the death of a semi-truck driver when the overpass and coal cars crushed the truck he was driving. Courtesy photo
As of Tuesday morning, October 17, Interstate 25 remained closed in both directions just north of Pueblo with no update available as to when it would reopen. The closure occurred when a train derailment led to the partial collapse of an overpass over Interstate 25 on Sunday afternoon, October 15.
The National Transportation Safety Board said, in an update about the incident, that the train consisted of five locomotives and 124 cars carrying coal. A total of 30 cars derailed at milepost 109.7.
The driver of a semi-truck, identified Monday as 60-year-old Lafollette Henderson, died of injuries sustained when his semi became trapped by the partially collapsed overpass and coal cars.
A team of four National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators arrived on the scene Monday. NTSB is the independent U.S. government agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigations.
CDOT’s Monday news release stated, “ There were approximately 6-7 train cars and the coal they were carrying scattered across both lanes of I-25.” “Both northbound and southbound lanes will remain closed until crews are able to make further assessments and give more specific updates,” CDOT said in its release.
While the interstate remains closed, motorists are being directed to alternate routes, including exit 110 toward Overton Road and Highway 115 at Penrose.
