Calgary

2 trains collide head-on, derailing 7 cars in southeast Calgary

Two trains collided head-on after mistakenly being on the same track, which derailed seven cars on Wednesday night in the city's southeast.

Nearby resident said incident was so loud he thought it was a plane crash

Jeremy Chivers captured this photo after a train derailed in the southeast community of Ogden on Wednesday night. (Submitted by Jeremy Chivers)

Two trains collided head-on after mistakenly being on the same track, which derailed seven cars on Wednesday night in the city's southeast.

Ogden Road S.E. was shut down between 50th Avenue and Millican Road S.E. because of the derailment.

The Calgary Fire Department told CBC News on Thursday that the derailment caused almost 19,000 litres of diesel to spill. However, crews were able to contain it and clean it up.

Two train engineers were checked by EMS on scene but were not taken to hospital.

Jeremy Chivers was at his Ogden home watching television when he heard a big boom.

"[My daughter] came running out, and I actually thought it was a plane crash, it shook the house," Chivers said.

"Within seconds, a massive amount of emergency vehicles started lighting up the area."

Chivers said there have been train derailments at that same site before.

"I've seen cars in that exact spot, actually," he said.

Police are asking motorists to avoid the area and take an alternate route.