THE DRIVER OF A SEMI WAS INJURED THURSDAY MORNING WHEN HIS SEMI-TANKER TRUCK ON HIGHWAY 20 IN SOUTH SIOUX CITY LEFT THE ROADWAY AND CRASHED ONTO THE RAILROAD TRACKS BENEATH THE HIGHWAY 20 BRIDGE.
WHEN SOUTH SIOUX FIRE CREWS ARRIVED AT 39TH & 5TH AVENUE, THEY FOUND THE WESTBOUND SEMI-TANKER HAD TRAVELED DOWN THE BRIDGE EMBANKMENT, AND CAME TO REST ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS BELOW HIGHWAY 20.
THE TANKER HAD SEPARATED INTO TWO SECTIONS, RELEASING A LARGE AMOUNT OF LIQUID FERTILIZER AT THE CRASH SITE.
THE DRIVER WAS EXTRICATED AND TRANSPORTED TO UNITYPOINT HEALTH DOWNTOWN IN SIOUX CITY FOR TREATMENT.
IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE’S SADDLE FUEL TANKS WERE RUPTURED, RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT DIESEL SPILL.
ALL TRAIN TRAFFIC ON THE AFFECTED RAILROAD TRACKS WAS HALTED
THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR SITE CLEANUP AND WILL OVERSEE REPAIRS TO THE DAMAGED RAILROAD TRACKS.
THE SEMI-TRUCK WAS REMOVED FROM THE SCENE BY MEIER TOWING AND THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.
