Emergency braking led to fiery Canada rail accident, investigators say

Investigators survey the site of a train derailment near the hamlet of Gainford, west of Edmonton October 20, 2013. REUTERS/Dan Riedlhuber

TORONTO (Reuters) - Emergency braking was behind the derailment of a train hauling propane and crude oil early on Saturday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said on Tuesday.

In its first assessment of the accident, the TSB said the westbound Canadian National Railway mixed freight train had an "undesired emergency brake application" in Gainford, Alberta and 13 cars carrying dangerous goods derailed.