Canada rail co and boss 'deplorable'

The railway company and its boss whose runaway train brought death and destruction to the heart of a small Canadian town is under attack for not getting to the scene sooner.

Up to 60 people are feared to have died when the driverless train with 72 tankers of crude oil derailed and exploded in a fireball in Lac-Megantic on Saturday.

Montreal , Maine and Atlantic Railway company President Ed Burkhardt visited the town on Wednesday to apologise.

Quebec's premier says it's too little too late.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) QUEBEC PREMIER PAULINE MAROIS SAYING:

"I already commented on his behaviour and the behaviour of the company and it was deplorable. To my mind the leader of that firm should have been on the spot right at the beginning of this tragic accident. It seems to me that went without saying. He should have been there to better communicate with the population - they have many questions to ask - and also with the municipal authorities, they have all kinds of