Lawsuit Filed in Illinois for Canadian Train Explosion

The family of one of 50 people who died in a fiery Canadian oil-train explosion is suing the train’s Illinois owners.

The Chicago Sun-Times says the wrongful death case was filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court. It was filed on behalf of relatives of Jean-Guy Veilleux, who died in the fire.

The lawsuit against Rosemont-based Rail World and its Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway also names CEO Edward Burkhardt. It seeks at least $200,000 in damages.

The company didn’t immediately comment Tuesday.

A separate class-action lawsuit has been filed in Quebec.

The July 6 crash happened when an unattended train hurtled down a seven-mile incline, derailing and igniting in Lac-Megantic (lak MAH’-gan-tihk) near the Maine border.