Mandan man victim of train derailment

WASHBURN, N.D. (AP) — The man killed in a train derailment south of Washburn has been identified as a 46-year-old Mandan resident.

Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western Railroad Vice President Jeff Wood said employees are having a hard time dealing with the loss of Jeff Heitzmann. He had worked for the railroad several years ago and recently came back.

Heitzmann was killed Thursday when five engines went off the tracks, two of them falling onto the banks of Turtle Creek below. Another worker was treated at a Bismarck hospital and released.

Wood said he can’t release the name of the injured worker until he gets approval from the Federal Railroad Administration, which is investigating.

Wood said the embankment apparently gave way, causing the derailment.

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