Extreme winds blow 2 trains off tracks near Red Deer, Wainwright

RCMP are investigating twotrain derailments Tuesdayin central Alberta caused by extreme winds.

Three Hills RCMPofficers were calledat around 5:20 p.m.after 28freight cars derailednear Huxley, Alta., approximately 75 kilometresby car from Red Deer.

The rail cars, which were carrying 56 shipping containers, were blown off the tracks, RCMP say. No one was injured and no hazardous materials were spilled, but several homes in the area were evacuated as a precaution. Residents were allowed to return three hours after the derailment.

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The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is sending a team of investigators to the scene.

At about 6 p.m., Wainwright RCMP were called to a train trestlenear Township Road 542for another reported train derailment.

Const. Leon Hoffman said five double-stacked cars were knocked off a trestle bridgenear Fabyan by "extremely strong winds."

Wainwright isabout 230 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.

Jacob Weichel arrived near the trestle at 6:05 p.m. and took a photo of the derailment.

"It was super windy but everyone looked safe, including the conductor," Weicheltold CBC News.

CN Railway crews are currently on the scene.

Hoffman said no updates on the derailment will be available until Wednesday because it is too dangerous to send RCMP officers out in the field.

No injuries havebeen reported for either train derailment.