On 6/2/2018, an XNG tractor trailer crashed pulling a heavy, HAZMAT, high pressure Quantum trailer and rolled 270 degrees, destroying the power unit (tractor) and seriously injuring the driver. The crash took out 12 box beam guide rails, 16 posts, and 2 delineators.
The standard procedures were not followed (ERG), flares were used (what could go wrong?!)... 3 of 4 lanes on the Thruway remained open. The driver, who was "bleeding badly from the face, hands, and feet" was not transported to the hospital until 10:40, 2.5 hours after the event began.
Despite being placarded, the truck's cargo was not correctly identified by first responders as HAZMAT ("empty methane tanks") for 16 minutes into the event. There were no evacuations, despite densely populated area (2 hotels, a restaurant, and a gas station all within 1,000'ft). US DOT Hazmat inspectors from PHMSA where turned away by the Thruway Authority. (WTH?!)
NYS DOT Hazmat was called out for a spill of 5 gallons of DEF fluid.
The driver was seriously injured, but transport was no confirmed for 2 hours 40 min later. The driver said the trucks lading tanks "were empty", but there was still approximately 2,000 lbs of explosive compressed natural gas (CNG) in the "unloaded" configuration. Anything less can damage the tanks. Even unloaded, this is a HEAVY combo, weighing in at about 70,000 lbs.
Neither the MV-104A (accident report) nor the DOT inspection performed by NYSP notes the VIN number of the shipping container (only the trailer chassis, and the tractor). There was NO MENTION an any report of what seems like possibly the root cause of the accident: a seriously bent forward-rear-driver's side trailer wheel.
This was 2.5 miles from the Albany Capitol Complex, and 2 miles from Governor Andrew Cuomo's mansion.
EVERY OTHER rollover crash, the road was closed for 12 hours, all utilities disconnected to prevent sparks, and tanks were vented.
Question: Why was the protocol so different for this crash, so close to the State Capitol? Why did first responders fail to identify the trailer as HAZMAT, and potentially explosive? Why does NTSB not investigate each crash of a trailer like this like an airplane crash?
Why does it require a couple of amateur citizen-sleuths to put this all together instead of the government regulators?
I believe there were MANY errors here which put human lives in harms way.
PLEASE DONATE to support my work documenting the MANY hazards of Type-4 CNG carbon fiber composite #BombTrucks. (Link in the comments)
More:
Stop the #BombTrucks! (group discussion)
Stop the #BombTrucks (announcement page)
MANY THANKS to Craig Stevens and Ray Kemble for research assistance.
William Huston: WilliamAHuston@gmail.com
Binghamton NY
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