Via Rail train quarantined in N. Ontario after mystery illness hits passengers
48 minutes ago
FOLEYET, Ont. — Ambulances and police scrambled to the hamlet of Foleyet, Ont., on Friday after one person died and several others fell ill on a Via Rail passenger train en route from Vancouver to Toronto.
The train was under quarantine as authorities rushed to tend to those with flu-like symptoms and find out what was causing the illness.
"The whole place is being overrun with ambulances and police cars, and we've got helicopters," said Deborah DesRochers, chairwoman of the town of 380 about 100 kilometres southwest of Timmins.
"They've got the train quarantined. They're trying to isolate what it is."
Only emergency response personnel were being allowed on or off the train, which was carrying 260 passengers and 30 crewmembers.
Via Rail spokeswoman Catherine Kaloutsky confirmed one person had died but had no further details were sketchy.
"Medical personnel are at the scene and are standing by to assist as may be required," Kaloutsky said.
Police said as many as 10 were ill with flu-like symptoms, which made its regular morning stop in Foleyet.
"No one is going onto the train without full protective gear," police spokeswoman Sgt. Laura Nichols told CP24.
The illnesses appeared to be contained to two train cars.
A CN Rail sleep station had been evacuated and local health facilities were on standby.
48 minutes ago
FOLEYET, Ont. — Ambulances and police scrambled to the hamlet of Foleyet, Ont., on Friday after one person died and several others fell ill on a Via Rail passenger train en route from Vancouver to Toronto.
The train was under quarantine as authorities rushed to tend to those with flu-like symptoms and find out what was causing the illness.
"The whole place is being overrun with ambulances and police cars, and we've got helicopters," said Deborah DesRochers, chairwoman of the town of 380 about 100 kilometres southwest of Timmins.
"They've got the train quarantined. They're trying to isolate what it is."
Only emergency response personnel were being allowed on or off the train, which was carrying 260 passengers and 30 crewmembers.
Via Rail spokeswoman Catherine Kaloutsky confirmed one person had died but had no further details were sketchy.
"Medical personnel are at the scene and are standing by to assist as may be required," Kaloutsky said.
Police said as many as 10 were ill with flu-like symptoms, which made its regular morning stop in Foleyet.
"No one is going onto the train without full protective gear," police spokeswoman Sgt. Laura Nichols told CP24.
The illnesses appeared to be contained to two train cars.
A CN Rail sleep station had been evacuated and local health facilities were on standby.
