Hundreds of travellers stranded on freezing train

The Red Cross says the Tshiuetin Rail Transportation train — which was travelling from Schefferville, Que., to Sept-Iles, Que.

The Red Cross says the Tshiuetin Rail Transportation train — which was travelling from Schefferville, Que., to Sept-Iles, Que. — was stopped about 65 kilometres east of Labrador City when it would not restart.

The Canadian Red Cross says 282 passengers huddled together for warmth in freezing temperatures for about eight hours Friday after the train they were travelling on lost power in western Labrador.

Passengers that were stranded on a freezing train in Labrador for eight hours on Friday were finally on their way to their destination Saturday afternoon, after spending the night in bunkhouses in Labrador City and Fermont, Que.

Two pregnant women, children and seniors were among the 282 passengers who were stranded when their train lost power in Labrador on Friday morning, as temperatures plummeted below – 30 C.

The Tshiuetin Rail Transportation train was en route to Sept-Iles, Que., from Schefferville, Que., when power was lost about 65 kilometres outside Labrador City, with about eight hours to go before its final destination.

It was hours before town officials were notified about the train.

Fire Chief Joe Power said flights out of Wabush Airport began departing at around 11 a.m. with the first group of passengers, heading for Sept-Iles.

The passengers, including children and seniors, used a few blankets and huddled together for hours as temperatures hovered around -30 C.

After several attempts to fix the train’s electrical problems were unsuccessful, the passengers were evacuated around 4 p.m. and taken by bus to a high school gymnasium in Labrador City to arrange lodging.

Some people were taken to hospital as a precaution, but no injuries were reported.

Most of the passengers stayed in mining camp bunk houses in Labrador City and Wabush, N.L., while others were bused to similar camps in Fermont, Que.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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