Authorities say three train operators were killed when their freight train derailed in southern New Mexico's Grant County and plunged down a ravine.
State Police Sgt. Oscar Sosa says the three men were inside the locomotive when the crash occurred Saturday.
Sosa says the locomotive was pulling eight cars near Bayard — about 75 miles northwest of Las Cruces — when it went off the tracks and down a 40- to 50-foot ravine. The cars derailed moments later.
The train was operated by Southwestern Railroad and was carrying a form of iron that is not hazardous, according to operations manager for railroad Chris Grimes.
The cause of the accident hadn't been determined.
A state police spokesman did not immediately respond to Associated Press calls for additional comment.
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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com
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