An Amtrak train derailed near Essex after hitting a large boulder on its tracks. While none of the 256 passengers on board were hurt, they did have to sit idle on the train for nearly six hours while crews cleared the debris.  

The incident happened just after 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday as the train made its way from Chicago to Seattle.  

The boulder rolled down to the tracks from a nearby hill, and with such dark conditions, the crew didn't spot it.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas says they responded to the scene and helped to re-rail the train, which was able to continue to Seattle.

He added they are in the process of checking out the slopes around the area to make sure such an incident doesn't happen again.  

Melonas says the track runs along the southern border of Glacier National Park parallel to U.S. Highway 2, and has trains using it daily. The accident also delayed five other BNSF freight trains.