Runaway train car stopped near Walla Walla

Wrong way on a one-way track.

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There were no injuries when a rail car broke away from a Columbia-Walla Walla Railroad train in Washington state on Tuesday, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin reported.

The empty tank car rumbled for nearly 16 miles before responders were able to stop it, Walla Walla County Undersheriff Joe Klundt told the newspaper.

According to the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office, the runaway train car reached speeds to 70 mph, KNDO-TV reported.

The train car became unhitched at about 12:50 p.m. PST, and authorities rushed to block intersections as the empty car continued west, KEPR-TV reported.

After going up an incline near Touchet, the car slowed to 3 mph, the Union-Bulletin reported. That allowed a responder to jump onto the car and apply the brakes, according to the newspaper.

Columbia-Walla Walla Railroad owner Paul Didelius told the Union-Bulletin that a team was investigating what caused the car to break loose.