Texas Firefighters Deal With Big Rig in River

May 11, 2011
SAN ANTONIO -- A big rig crashed into the San Antonio River near Interstate 10 and Probandt on Tuesday morning. San Antonio fire officials said the driver lost control of the big rig when he tried to avoid a multi-vehicle crash and went down an embankment and into the river. Special Operations Chief Jonathan Jones, with the San Antonio Fire Department, said 300 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the river.

SAN ANTONIO --

A big rig crashed into the San Antonio River near Interstate 10 and Probandt on Tuesday morning.

San Antonio fire officials said the driver lost control of the big rig when he tried to avoid a multi-vehicle crash and went down an embankment and into the river.

Special Operations Chief Jonathan Jones, with the San Antonio Fire Department, said 300 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the river.

"The hazmat team responded and was able to contain the spill," said Jones. "We've already had the state out here. They've evaluated it."

Initially, Jones said, crews with the fire department were focused on getting the driver out of the truck.

He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries..

After he was safe, hazmat crews worked to get the truck out and to contain the large amount of oil and diesel that spilled into the river.

Crews contracted out with the state worked on the contained area, setting up filters to catch the oil and petroleum.

Officials with the San Antonio River Authority said they are monitoring the river, making sure the spill does not affect the fish community or any another wildlife.

They also said it could take a couple of days to get all the product out.

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