Friday, June 19, 2015

Tanker Truck Overturns Spilling Hydrochloric Acid In Farmington, West Virginia


UPDATE: 6/19 5:50 P.M.
 
Crews have finished extracting the excess acid and are now working on reclamation. Jamison Road is open to Emergency Vehicles Only. It is closed indefinitely to the public. Officials on scene say that they expect the road to be closed for the remainder of the weekend.
 
UPDATE: 6/19 11:18 A.M.
 
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection officials have released more information into Friday morning's chemical spill. 
 
According to DEP Spokesman Jake Glance, the tanker overturned when the driver apparently swerved to avoid a deer. 
 
He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Fairmont Regional. 
 
Approximately 3,000 gallons of hydrochloric acid or about half of what was inside the tanker, spilled, but no water was contaminated. 
 
Crews are excavating 4-5 inches of dirt from the area and neutralizing it with lime. 
 
Trenches are being dug out around the area to prevent rain from spreading the chemical. 
 
The acid remaining in the tanker is being transferred to another tanker truck. 
 
HAZMAT crews from Marion and Monongalia Counties are on scene, along with the DEP's Homeland Security and Emergency teams. 
 
Jamison Road has been closed since 3:15 a.m. 
 
ORIGINAL:
 
A tanker truck tipped over, spilling hydrochloric acid into the roadway in Marion County early Friday morning.
 
According to Marion County 911 dispatchers, Jamison Road in Farmington was shut down just after 3:00 a.m.
 
Officials are advising drivers to avoid the area until further notice. 
 
One person was transported to Fairmont Regional by the Marion County Rescue Squad. 
 
Crews from Farmington, Fairview and Barackville are working to clear the scene. 
 
Marion County Sheriff's Department and EMS also responded.