THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511170188
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
A tanker truck filled with 8,000 gallons of gasoline overturned on Indian River Road at the interchange with Interstate 64 late Thursday, spilling fuel and closing the road.
Fire crews from Virginia Beach were on the scene, and Chesapeake sent in specialized foam-generating equipment.
There was no fire, but the smell of gasoline was heavy in the area. No evacuations had been recommended, but officials were monitoring the situation.
Indian River Road was expected to remain closed for several hours - possibly through this morning's rush hour - in both directions from Rion Drive to Centerville Turnpike.
Police said the truck overturned about 9:20 p.m. as it left the off-ramp from westbound I-64 to Indian River Road east near the CBN complex. Within an hour, police said, about half of the fuel had spilled from the truck, which was lying on its side in the middle lane of Indian River.
Some of the fuel flowed into storm drains in front of CBN, and fire officials were especially concerned about possible contamination of the drain system in the area.
The driver of the truck, whose name was not available, was taken to Sentara Leigh Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. He told police that he ``felt a surge coming around the corner'' on the ramp, and the truck hit a curb and flipped over.
Police said they believe that the truck was traveling at low speed and that alcohol was not involved in the accident. The driver was wearing a seat belt. Police said a passer-by stopped to help him get out of the truck.
Police spokesman Mike Carey said that the tank did not appear to have been ruptured and that the fuel was leaking only from regular tank caps.
Virginia Beach Fire Department spokesman Chase Sargent said the truck, owned by Transport South Inc. of Chesapeake, would be righted after the remaining fuel was pumped out.
Industrial Marine Service Inc. of Norfolk was brought in to help with cleanup and containment. MEMO: For updates on the accident and road closure call INFOLINE at 640-5555
and press Category 6397.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by BILL TIERNAN, The Virginian-Pilot
Firemen apply foam to the roadway where a truck carrying 8,000
gallons of gasoline overturned on Indian River Road.
KEYWORDS: HAZARDOUS CARGO ACCIDENT TRAFFIC GASOLINE SPILL by CNB