PHOTOS: Highway 20 near Craven now cleared after grain train derailment

Highway 20 is now open in both directions after being blocked following a train derailment at Craven on Sunday afternoon.

Saskatchewan RCMP said in a news release around 3:20 p.m. that clearing the road was expected to take several hours but Craven area resident Chris Descottes told 980 CJME the highway was reopened in both directions about 4 p.m.

Read more:

A grain train derailment near Craven on May 11, 2025. (Chris Descottes/Submitted)

Eyewitness Chad Cunningham told 980 CJME that the train was carrying grain and he saw two rail cars off the tracks, and three tipped over about half a mile north of Craven.

RCMP said no dangerous goods were spilled and no injuries were reported. The train is believed to be one operated by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).

“It looks like the side of the track gave way,” Cunningham said. “There’s one car completely with its wheels taken off and the engine itself is on the side.”

A grain train derailment near Craven on May 11, 2025. (Chad Cunningham/Submitted)

He said one rail car was still attached to the engine and was almost on its side, pulling the engine over as well.

The engine was still running when Cunningham arrived at the scene and he said Lumsden Fire Department firefighters hosed down the train make sure there was no fire. Fire risk in the area is extreme.

“There’s grain all over the ground on both sides,” he added.

The sounds of steel crushing disturbed Descottes as he was working in his workshop on Sunday afternoon. Descottes lives across the highway from the site of the derailment.

“I could hear all kinds of noise. And I looked up and I’m like ‘oh man, wow, derailment.’ ”

A grain train derailment near Craven on May 11, 2025. (Chris Descottes/Submitted)

Descottes took a closer look and said it looked like the train “jumped the switch.”

He said the grain from the rail cars is all in the ditch.

“No potash, no dangerous chemicals or anything.”

Descottes said it looked like train was heading towards Regina and fire crews were still monitoring for any fuel leaks.

“The engine right now is shut down.”

RCMP was advising motorists in the area to slow down and follow directions provided by first responders at the scene. They also said people should check the Highway Hotline for updates.