1 dead in fiery tanker crash on SR-8 in Northfield; Diesel leaks downstream into creek

NORTHFIELD, Ohio (WOIO) – One person is dead following a tanker crash on SR-8 in Northfield Center Township.

Summit County Inspector Bill Holland says at around 9:15 a.m., the tanker truck, traveling northbound on SR-8 tried to get on I-271, when it lost control and went over the side of the bridge.

The truck landed on the southbound lanes and burst into flames.

The driver of the truck died as a result of the crash.

An Ohio EPA spokesperson confirmed the tanker contained 7,500 gallons of diesel.

Some of the diesel poured into Brandywine Creek, which is near the crash site.

Brandywine Creek briefly caught fire after the crash. The fire has since been put out, according to the Ohio EPA.

Ohio EPA officials confirmed they are installing containment in the creek, called absorbent dikes, to stop the spread of the diesel and overseeing abatement efforts

ODOT spokesperson Matt Bruning confirmed inspectors are currently looking at the bridge, which will remain closed until it is deemed safe. The intense fire left visible marks on the bridge and according to the NTSB, fire can cause the buckling of steel beams, damage to concrete or even collapse.

As of 2:10 p.m., SR-8 northbound has been re-opened, according to ODOT.

However, ODOT confirmed the following closures are still in place:

The ramps from State Route 8 northbound to I-271 northbound / I-271 southbound to SR 8 southbound

State Route 8 southbound between Highland Rd. and Hines Hill Rd.

An ODOT spokesperson confirms there currently is not a time frame for when the roadways will open back up.

Officials with the Summit Metroparks say they have closed Rock Creek Trail due to the diesel spill runoff.

They also say Old Mill Trail is open but monitoring is ongoing. Anyone who goes there has been asked to avoid contact with the creek and stream water.

A statement from the Macedonia Fire Department said there were a total of 60 firefighters on the scene of the crash and there were no firefighter injuries.

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.

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