Washington County, Maryland Crews Respond to Tractor Trailer Accident on I-70

Sept. 21, 2005
On September 20th, Emergency Crews from Halfway and Williamsport responded out for a Tractor Trailer accident on Interstate 70 East of Interstate 81.

Halfway, MD - On September 20th, Emergency Crews from Halfway and Williamsport responded out for a Tractor Trailer accident on Interstate 70 East of Interstate 81.

Washington County dispatch became flooded with calls reporting a tractor-trailer accident just prior to Interstate 81 on 70.

Crews responding arrived to find a tractor-trailer partial hanging off the bridge with a portion of the trailer ripped off and lying on the railroad tracks below.

The truck involved had been carrying 8000 gallons of liquid sugar which was spilled all over the roadway which became mixed in with over 150 gallons of diesel fuel and oil spilled from the accident.

Assistant Chief Kroboth of Halfway Fire arrived and immediately assumed command of the incident.

Once he was able to assess the scene, command immediately requested Washington County Special Operations 20 to the incident to assist with the spill and also requested dispatch to notify the Railroads of the incident since the tracks below the bridge have been compromised.

Fire department crews began working on clean-up while Williamsport EMS attended to the driver who had minor injuries. Once the driver was assessed by EMS, they transported him to Washington County Trauma Center for evaluation. Crews from Williamsport transported him in priority 3 while fire crews worked at the scene.

Crews from Halfway and Williamsport remained on the scene for several hours working to clean up the spill. Command was able to release some units while he remained on the scene until all hazards were removed. Command reported the tractor-trailer had been removed from the roadway around 23:33 hours.

The towing agency at that time was working to remove the remnants of the trailer, which went over the bridge down onto the railroad tracks below.

The towing agency on the scene was able to complete there task and all remaining emergency crews on the scene were able to clear the incident scene shortly after 1:30 in the morning.

Halfway Fire Co.26 was assisted by crews from Williamsport Fire Co.2, Funkstown Fire Co.10, Williamsport EMS Co.29, and Washington County Special Operations 20 on the incident.

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