Fuel Truck Overturns Near Southend; Highway Closed

Fuel Truck Overturns Near Southend; Highway Closed

Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 12:23

 

 

A tanker has overturned and spilled fuel on a northern Saskatchewan highway, cutting off access to a nearby community.

 

The mishap took place at around 9:55 this morning, about three kilometres from Southend, prompting Saskatchewan Highways to shut down that portion of Hwy. 102 from the Hwy. 905 junction.

 

According to the RCMP, the vehicle was travelling in poor road conditions and went off the highway.

 

The truck has two large tanks containing approximately 37,000 litres of gasoline. The Mounties say 500 litres was spilled, but it is being contained and is not near any water.

 

The 47-year-old man driving the truck wasn’t hurt, but Highways official Jan Olson says that stretch of road will be closed until at least tomorrow, because clean-up crews have to make their way from southern Saskatchewan.

 

In the meantime, Olson says they just can’t have any traffic on that stretch of highway.

 

“It’s because there has been a rupture to the tank and fuel has spilled out, and for everybody’s safety, they would like to keep the traffic off that road to reduce sparks, so that it doesn’t ignite,” she says.

 

Olson says motorists can still travel between La Ronge and Hwy. 905.