The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 12 December 2018.
Non-main track uncontrolled movement, collision, and derailment
Englewood Railway, Western Forest Products Inc.
Cut of cars
Woss, British Columbia
The occurrence
On , at about 0830 Pacific Daylight Time, a cut of 11 cars loaded with logs rolled uncontrolled out of the Woss Reload Centre operated by Western Forest Products Inc. near Woss, British Columbia. The uncontrolled cars rolled over a derail, re-railed at a switch, continued onto the “H” line track, down the grade, and struck occupied on-track engineering work equipment. The 11 cars and 2 engineering work equipment vehicles derailed. Three engineering employees were fatally injured, and 2 were seriously injured.
Although this railway company falls under provincial jurisdiction, the TSB conducted the investigation at the request of the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in accordance with a memorandum of understanding.
Safety communication
Safety advisories
Rail Safety Advisory Letter 05/18: Visual verification method to ensure secure coupling of rail cars
Rail Safety Advisory Letter 05/17: Installation, maintenance and inspection of derails at Western Forest Products
Media materials
News releases
Unsuccessful coupling between rail cars and failure of a derail protection device led to April 2017 uncontrolled movement, collision and fatal derailment near Woss, BC
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to train derailment near Woss, British Columbia
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of the train derailment involving a provincially regulated railway that occurred on Thursday, 20 April 2017 near Woss, British Columbia. Provincial authorities have requested that the TSB undertake an investigation. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R17V0096
Non-main track uncontrolled movement, collision, and derailment
Englewood Railway, Western Forest Products Inc.
Cut of cars
Woss, British Columbia
Investigator-in-charge
Peter Hickli has been with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) since 2006. He holds the position of Senior Regional Investigator, Rail/Pipeline, in Vancouver, British Columbia.
During his time at the TSB, Mr. Hickli has been the investigator-in-charge (IIC) of 13 rail accident investigations, including a Class 2 investigation (R17V0096), and provided technical expertise on many others, including the Lac-Mégantic investigation (R13D0054).
Before joining the TSB, Mr. Hickli worked for BC Rail and Canadian National (CN) for 30 years. During that period, he served a four-year Carman apprenticeship and worked extensively in the mechanical departments at BC Rail and CN, both as a unionized employee and as a manager.
In the course of his career, Mr. Hickli has served as a member of derailment investigation teams and hazardous materials teams, as a hazardous materials technician and as an advanced tank car specialist.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 2 investigation. These investigations are complex and involve several safety issues requiring in-depth analysis. Class 2 investigations, which frequently result in recommendations, are generally completed within 600 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.