Idaho rockslide halts passenger, freight trains

BONNERS FERRY (AP) — A rock slide has closed a main BNSF Railway connection between Washington state and Idaho.

BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas says a large slide 14 miles east of Bonners Ferry covered the tracks about 12:30 p.m. Friday. Amtrak passenger trains running from Seattle and Portland to Chicago have been halted for 48 hours. Freight traffic has also been temporarily suspended.

Melonas says about 20 railway personnel along with heavy equipment have been brought in to clear the debris.