A 67-year-old Talkeetna man died early Thursday when the gas tanker he was driving collided with a truck hauling an empty methane tanker on the Parks Freeway north of Trapper Creek, Alaska State Troopers stated.
The collision closed the freeway, doubtless till Thursday night. It additionally resulted within the spill of an estimated 4,000 gallons of jet gas, in response to Anna Carey, central area supervisor for the Alaska Division of Environmental Conservation.
The driving force of the southbound methane tanker misplaced management navigating a nook close to Mile 133.5 round 1:30 a.m. and collided with the northbound gas tanker, troopers stated. The gas tanker’s driver, David Hope, died on the scene. The opposite driver, who was not recognized, was not injured.
Street circumstances on the time of the crash weren’t instantly recognized. Situations within the space have been described by the Division of Transportation on Thursday afternoon as truthful, with snow on the roadway, icy patches and a glaze of ice.
The freeway was closed from Mile 127 to 133.5 early Thursday, troopers stated. There isn’t a detour across the closure.
The gas tanker was owned by Worldwide Aviation Service, Carey stated. The tanker had two trailers, one among which spilled through the collision, she stated. The trailer held roughly 4,200 gallons of jet gas and Carey stated officers are estimating practically all of it spilled onto the roadway and surrounding snow.
Contractors have been assessing the scene on Thursday morning and Carey stated Worldwide Aviation Service had sources on scene to start cleansing up the gas.
Hope’s physique was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Workplace for an post-mortem, troopers stated.
Troopers inspired drivers to test for updates on the Division of Transportation web site.
This can be a growing story. Test again for updates.