Three people killed, dozens more trapped in horrific Via Rail train derailment

A Canadian Via Rail passenger train derailed west of Toronto Sunday, killing three railroad employees and injuring dozens of passengers, officials said.

Via Rail spokeswoman Michelle Lamarche said the three people killed were all railroad employees who were riding in the locomotive at the front of the train when it derailed in Burlington, Ontario.

Lamarche said no passengers died but dozens were injured. She said 75 people were on board the train traveling from Niagara Falls to Toronto when it derailed Sunday afteoon near Aldershot station.

Emergency personnel attend to a VIA passenger train that derailed in Burlington Ontario, February 26, 2012. The VIA Rail train, which was travelling from Niagara Falls to Toronto with about 75 passengers, derailed at 1530 EST (2030 GMT), killing at least one person, according to media reports.

Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring also confirmed that three died and said emergency crews were working to pull passengers from the wreckage and at least one air ambulance is on standby.

Goldring said the crash caused minor damage to nearby buildings.

Police haven't released any details about the accident.