Runaway train hits Nogales port gate


  • Staff reports
  • Updated 48 min ago
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  • A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star


Custom and Border Protection officials investigate a Union Pacific train that crossed the International border at the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz. Union Pacific has not responded to the reason for the section of the train to drift north and cross the border from Mexico.




  • A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star


Damage to the windshield is apparent as a Custom and Border Protection official investigates a Union Pacific train that crossed the International border at the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz. on Jan 9, 2017. Several of the windshields have similar damage. Union Pacific has not responded to the reason for the section of the train to drift north and cross the border from Mexico.


NOGALES, Arizona — A runaway train struck the rail gate at the Port of Nogales' DeConcini crossing Monday morning.

No train engineer was on board at the time when the northbound train struck the metal gate, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman Marcia Armendariz. The gate was damaged, but no one was injured.

The train was moving at a slow rate of speed, allowing Customs and Border Protection officers to jump aboard the train and engage the emergency brake, according to a news release from CBP.

Structural damage was minimal and vehicle and pedestrian traffic at the port of entry was not impacted, the CBP said.


It was not known what caused the train to start moving without an engineer.

The windows of the train were damaged.

Two train engines extended into the United States, while five engines and several rail cars stayed in Mexico. The train was driven back into Mexico around 2 p.m., leaving minor damage to the metal plates and chain link fence that make up the gate.

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