| Thursday evening at 9:29 PM, Company 3 units were dispatched to an auto accident on Interstate-95 Northbound at the 150.4 mile marker adjacent to the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
W503 was the first unit to arrive on scene to confirm that a commercial tractor trailer had jack-knifed after losing control and punctured the driver's side fuel tank. W503 immediately shut down I-95 North (All lanes).
BC507 was responding along with M553 and ascertained more information from W503 while in-route. W503 reported that the truck was leaking diesel fuel rapidly from one of two 150 gallon tanks.
Upon arrival to the scene BC507 requested Utility 503 with all of the absorbent on-hand at the station as well as HAZMAT support and containment units, since the truck had just refueled earlier in the evening.
The Wagon crew was hard at work digging pits, damming, and spreading absorbent. VSP secured the area, and W503 put hoselines in-place for the firefighters and personnel working to slow the spill. U503, R502, and T514, arrived just north of the incident after traveling southbound in the northbound lanes to gain access from the opposite side.
A vigorous effort was made to impede the progress of the spill and to contain the leaking fuel from both sides of the scene. Traffic was backed up for several miles across three counties as vehicles were diverted at Exit 148 via Route 1 near the back gate to Quantico MCB.
As VSP/VDOT and several other units arrived the driver was located and eventually transported to Potomac Hospital with minor injuries.
HAZMAT support units arrived with additional specialized equipment and were able to contain the spill to approx. a 50' x 100' area. Additional resources and commercial clean-up crews arrived to assist with the isolation, decontamination, and clean-up of the scene.
Newell's towing was then authorized to move the tractor trailer which lead to traffic being able to pass on the right shoulder of the roadway at 11:45 PM.
All units cleared when BC507F, VDOT, and VSP, authorized all lanes of traffic open at approximately 12:20 AM.
A special thanks to all the hardwork, quick efforts, and patience, of all involved during this incident. Your efforts undoubtedly reduced a potential catastrophe, loss of life, and minimized the impact on the environment, community, and Potomac River resources. |
