The VIA train derailment occurred September 3, 1997 when a passenger train transporting 193 passengers derailed near Biggar, Saskatchewan. 13 of the 19 passengers cars and both train engines jumped the track. At least 65 people were taken to hospital, and one person died as a result of the accident which was under investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A later report put the injured at 78 people of the 220 on board. The train was traveling east to Toronto from Vancouver. Canada's Transportation Safety Board released a report one year later saying that the train crew had disconnected an alarm system warning hours before the crash occurred. Train engineers brought the matter to the attention of maintenance foreman before disconnecting the warning system The hot bearing in the wheels went untended causing axle failure which resulted in the crash. As a consequence of the accident, four VIA employees were suspended, both engineers, the Vancouver maintenance foreman and a Jasper AB employee. One American tourist lost their life in the accident.

Source:
"Axle alarm disconnected before fatal crash, Via says" (Abstract digitised online by Toronto Star). The Record - Kitchener, ON. Toronto Star. September 6, 1997. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/498295891.html?dids=498295891:498295891&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+06%2C+1997&author=&pub=The+Record&desc=Axle+alarm+disconnected+before+fatal+crash%2C+Via+says&pqatl=google.
Retrieved 2010-03-07.

"CN Investigation Finds its Track Not a Factor in VIA Rail Derailment; Western Line to Re-Open Today". Marketwire. September 4, 1997. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/CN-Investigation-Finds-its-Track-Not-Factor-VIA-Rail-Derailment-Western-Line-Re-Open-TSX-CNR-337373.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-10.

"Crash report slams Via Rail". The Record - Kitchener, ON pae A4. Sep 2, 1998. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/498726201.html?dids=498726201:498726201&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+02%2C+1998&author=&pub=The+Record&desc=Crash+report+slams+Via+Rail&pqatl=google. Retrieved 2010-03-10.

"VIA's safety record" (Transcribed online by google news.). VIA's safety record Toronto Star Sept 7, 1998 Page 1. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/444455231.html?dids=444455231:444455231&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+07%2C+1998&author=&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=VIA%27s+safety+record&pqatl=google. Retrieved 2010-03-07.


"World News Briefs One Killed in a Derailment in West Saskatchewan" (Transcribed online by Google News Archives.). 1 Killed in a Derailment in West Saskatchewan. World News Briefs / Page A8 New York Times Edition. September 4, 1997. http://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/04/world/1-killed-in-a-derailment-in-west-saskatchewan.html?pagewanted=1. Retrieved 2010-03-07.


"Safety Board: Train Crew ignored Alarm United Press International HighBeam Research Free Trial" (Transcribed online by Highbeam Research). Safety Board: Train Crew Ignored Alarm. United Press International News Wires. Tuesday September 1, 1998. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-19663470.html. Retrieved 2010-03-97.