FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO
An estimated 42,000 pounds of the chemical triazine spilled
from a tanker truck (a semi-truck pulling a tanker truck) Thursday after it
rolled over on U.S. Highway 40 on Rabbit Ears Pass.
Clean-up efforts are ongoing.
The highway was closed for over seven hours after the crash,
which was reported at 5:05 p.m.
Colorado State Patrol Sgt. Scott Elliott said the driver,
Noland Hebert, 59, of Louisiana, sustained serious injuries in the crash that
were not thought to be life-threatening. He was taken to Yampa Valley Medical
Center and then flown to a hospital on the Front Range. The truck Hebert was
driving was registered to Quest Liner, Inc., of Dubuque, Iowa.
According to Colorado State Patrol Sgt. Scott Elliott, a
trooper patrolling the area reported the crash about 5 p.m., and Steamboat
Springs Fire Rescue firefighters responded to extricate the driver.
Elliott said the truck driver, Noland Hebert, 59, of
Louisiana, sustained serious injuries in the crash and was taken to Yampa
Valley Medical Center. The truck Hebert was driving was registered to Quest
Liner, Inc., of Dubuque, Iowa.
"The guy was fortunate that he survived the
crash," Steamboat Fire Chief Mel Stewart said. "The cab was
completely destroyed."
Stewart said the driver was later flown to a hospital on the
Front Range.
During the crash, the cab of the tanker separated from the
load it was hauling and both parts landed on the side of the road at mile
marker 142 at the runaway truck ramp.
According to a news release issued by Elliott Friday
morning, the truck was carrying approximately 42,000 pounds of Triazine, a
hazardous liquid chemical, and almost all of the chemical was released when the
tank ruptured in the crash.
What caused the tanker to crash was still unknown Friday. However, tractor trailers can easily rollover
when they make a turn due to the liquid load sloshing. Unless the driver is really careful in
negotiating turns, in making maneuvers, in breaking, in going uphill or
downhill, etc. a rollover accident will happen as is the case here. He must have been going at a high speed to
have such a severe crash where the cab separated from the trailer.
A hazardous materials crew from the Colorado State Patrol
arrived at about 9 p.m. to clean up the spilled chemical. Elliott said local,
state, federal environmental and health agencies were notified about the spill.
Routt County Environmental Health Director Mike Zopf said a
contractor was at the site Friday assessing the spill. A plan is being
developed for cleanup.
Triazine is used in pesticides and is flammable. It is
considered a high health hazard, according to documents provided by Zopf. There
are potentially health effects if people, fish or wildlife are exposed to the
product. The US EPA considers triazines
as possible human carcinogens.
The area where the chemical spilled is in the Harrison Creek
drainage that feeds into Lake Catamount and the Yampa River.
With snow melting on the pass, there is some concern that
the chemical could travel downstream.
"Any time you have impacts to ground and surface water,
that's a significant concern," Zopf said.
He said there are a number of agencies involved in assessing
the spill, including the U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Agencies and downstream users of the water are going to be taking water
samples.
Zopf said there have been a number of spills on the pass
over the years.
"I'm not aware of any impacts to Lake Catamount or the
Yampa River from a spill on the pass," Zopf said.