In brief: BNSF freight cars derail in rail yard

Ten empty BNSF Railway Co. freight cars derailed in a Spokane rail yard early Sunday. The mishap did not affect the railroad’s main line, and crews expected to have the tracks cleared and repaired by Sunday night.

The derailment happened about 1:30 a.m. during a routine switching movement at the switching yard along East Trent Avenue, BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas said. A string of cars being switched hit two water tank cars on an adjacent track. Of the 10 derailed cars, five tipped on their sides, Melonas said.

Cranes were used to lift the cars up and set them back on the tracks.

There were no injuries and no hazardous materials involved, he said.

Three children airlifted after crash

TONASKET, Wash. – Three Tonasket children were airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane on Sunday afternoon after the vehicle they were riding in rolled on Highway 97.

The names of the girls, ages 5, 7, and 9, were not released in a Washington State Patrol report. None of the children were wearing seat belts, the report said.

The driver, Rodimiro Bejar-Alvarez, 32, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported to a Tonasket hospital, the WSP said.

Bejar-Alvarez was driving a 2001 Ford Expedition south on Highway 97 when he swerved to avoid colliding with a vehicle that was attempting to make a left turn, the WSP said.