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

RCMP are investigating two train derailments Tuesday in central Alberta caused by extreme winds.

Three Hills RCMP officers were called at around 5:20 p.m. after 28 freight cars derailed near Huxley, Alta., approximately 75 kilometres by 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.

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 trestle near Township Road 542 for another reported train derailment.

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

Wainwright is about 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," Weichel told 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 have been reported for either train derailment.