January 30, 2024 |
Photo – Tanker crash – Courtesy WHP
The Wyoming Highway Patrol has released more information about last Monday’s hazardous chemical spill on Interstate 80 east of Elk Mountain.
On Monday, January 22nd, a single-axle tanker truck crashed at exit 260. Wyoming Department of Transportation closed the interstate for several hours while county fire crews tried to contain the anhydrous ammonia being transported in the truck.
Fire crews were able to reduce the flow of the super-cooled fertilizer and the highway was reopened several hours later. However, exit 260 remained closed while the crashed tanker continued to leak. Last Monday, Bigfoot99 reported that Fire Warden John Rutherford was waiting for a second tanker to arrive on scene to pump the remaining anhydrous ammonia out of the wrecked tanker.
The condition of the crashed tanker prevented the chemical from being transferred to another truck. On Wednesday, Carbon County Fire Protection District Board Vice President Jim Piche said crews were attempting to boil the remaining anhydrous ammonia out of the tanker before moving the wreckage from the highway exit.
Bigfoot99 contacted Wyoming Highway Patrol to find out the cause of the crash. In an email response, Trooper Ryan Gerdes said, “investigators are considering a mechanical issue or defect as a contributing factor.”
Sources told Bigfoot99 that the driver lost control of his truck while traveling westbound over the bridge crossing County Road 402.
Bigfoot99 asked about the status of the driver. Trooper Gerdes said, “The ambulance transported the driver to Rawlins and he was flown to a hospital in Colorado. However, the driver is expected to make a full recovery.”
As of yesterday, the wreckage was cleared and Exit 260 was reopened to traffic.
