ENLARGEA tanker spilled its load of natural gas condensate liquid after it overturned Thursday morning, March 5 in north Rifle. The liquid ran down Railroad Avenue to the 16th Street interchange before crews could contain it.
Police released more details about the accident at 4:30 p.m. It was reported at 10:12 a.m. and caused apparently minor injuries to the unnamed male driver. He was taken to Grand River Medical Center for treatment, police said in a written statement.
While traffic was blocked from the area, motorists used Whiteriver Avenue to get north and south through Rifle.
Police said a northbound tractor-trailer rolled over onto its side at the Railroad Avenue and Highway 13 bypass intersection, where several other tankers have overturned in recent years. The trailer ruptured and released an estimated 5,000 gallons of condensate, police said.
Emergency crews with at least one bulldozer built an earthen dam around one large spill and used dirt and other materials to absorb more condensate. It appeared some of the condensate liquid ran down the gutters of Railroad Avenue to the 16th Street light.
Police said in the statement that a small amount of the liquid did reach a storm drain, which was closed shortly after.
Authorities advised residents and businesses to evacuate the scene between 21st to 24th Streets, and Reverse 911 phone calls were made to residents in the Deerfield Park subdivision to advise them to seek shelter to avoid exposure to potentially harmful fumes from the condensate.
Condensate is a combination of petroleum-based compounds that give off possibly harmful fumes, especially if they gather in enclosed places.
Along with Rifle police and Rifle Fire Protection District crews, the Grand Junction Police Department’s Hazardous Materials Team, Burning Mountains and Glenwood Springs Fire Protection Districts and Garfield County Sheriff’s Department responded to the accident.
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RIFLE, COLO. - Traffic is closed in all directions this morning (Thursday, March 5) on the Colorado Highway 13 bypass and Railroad Avenue after a tanker carrying natural gas condensate liquid overturned around mid-morning, Rifle police said.
Spokeswoman Val Shanahan said no injuries or fire occurred, but officials planned to ask people in the immediate vicinity to evacuate as a precaution. Condensate includes petroleum-based compounds that give off possibly harmful fumes, especially if they gather in enclosed places.
Police believe traffic could be closed through the area until early afternoon, Shanahan said.
The condensate liquid ran down the gutters of Railroad Avenue to the 16th Street light before fire and hazardous materials crews could arrive to divert and contain the spilled liquid.
The accident apparently occurred in mid-morning as the tanker was headed north on Highway 13 and entered the curve where traffic turns onto Railroad Avenue. Previous tanker accidents occurred at the same location.
Source: http://www.citizentelegram.com - Link
