Tractor-Trailer Jack-Knifes,
Spills Diesel Fuel on Thruway

MidTown - April 1, 2003 --- Evans Center Volunteer Firefighters were dispatched to a reported accident with injury around 6:30am this morning at Milepost 454 Westbound on the New York State Thruway.

Assistant Chief Allen Nolan of the Farnham Fire Department was on location and reported the incident to Angola Fire Control.

According to the driver, his tractor-trailer bounced repeatedly off the guardrail separating the westbound and eastbound lanes before jack-knifing and blocking both lanes of the westbound Thruway at the base of the Cattaraugus Creek Bridge under icy road conditions. Both saddle fuel tanks on the tractor were ruptured in the crash. Some 150 ft. of guard rail were destroyed in the wreck.

The accident quickly backed up vehicles for miles, making it difficult for fire apparatus to tightly negotiate the right shoulder of the Thruway between the stopped traffic. As emergency equipment responded, additional accidents were reported in the eastbound lane within yards of the original crash.

Evans Center Engines 1, 2 and 3 responded along with Light Rescue 7, Chief Dennis Allen and multiple Rural/Metro Ambulances. EMS units from Silver Creek, Lake Erie Beach and Farnham were routed to respond to the Silver Creek toll barrier via Route 20 but were delayed by another accident on the Route 5/20 bridge over Cattaraugus Creek.

Once on location, firefighters went about spreading absorbent pads and powder to dike and absorb the leaking fuel. This early intervention prevented any fuel from threatening or contaminating the creek bed down the embankment from the spill.

The driver's side tank was almost completely emptied and no longer leaking. The passenger-side tank was punctured and leaking from two different points. Evans Center HazMat Tech Charlie Klepfer III used quick-setting putty to stop the diesel fuel leak while other firefighters stood by with fire protection.

Evans Center Command requested that the SouthTowns HazMat Team respond to the scene to evaluate the leak and provide additional absorbents and support. The New York State Police and Thruway Authority were on hand to provide traffic cones and control, salt/sand trucks and other support.

Once the leaks were controlled and the truck pulled to the shoulder, traffic was restarted while crews continued to apply additional absorbent and clean up the scene.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was evaluated at the scene and declined further medical treatment or transport. The other accidents did not create any life-threatening injuries for those involved. Evans Center's Ambulance responded to a separate accident on the bridge over the New York State Thruway on Eden-Evans Center Road during the incident.

Evans Center was assisted by Angola Fire Control, Hamburg Fire Control and Pinto's Collision in addition to the other agencies listed above. Evans Center was back at their station by 9:30am and back in service around 11am.

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