SUNBURY - County emergency officials said Tuesday it will take about two weeks to clean up about 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled during a tanker crash Monday afternoon.
Northumberland County Emergency Management Agency Director Stephen Jeffrey reported crews from the Northridge Group, an environmental remediation firm from Northumberland, will remain at the crash site along Route 147, about 50 yards south of Brush Valley Road, to clean up fuel spilled from an 8,000-gallon fuel tanker damaged in the 11:53 a.m. crash.
"Northridge is working on soil remediation right now, digging up the contaminated soil and monitoring dams in the streams that will pick up any fuel that goes in there from the contaminated soil," Jeffrey said.
Jeffrey said the damaged truck was removed from the scene Tuesday after officials confirmed that the leak had been stopped.
State police at Stonington say that the 1999 Mack truck, driven by Clarence K. Herb, 49, of Sunbury, was traveling on Route 147 when the driver failed to negotiate a left curve on the slush-covered roadway. The truck drove off the east berm and rolled onto its driver side.
The accident happened during the latter end of a winter storm that dumped approximately six inches of snow on the area Monday.
The crash punctured the tanker spilling heating fuel onto the ground and into a small stream. Hazardous materials protocol was immediately put into effect, the director said.
"Some of the fuel did go into a contributory stream and into the Little Shamokin Creek," Jeffrey said Tuesday, "Our county hazmat team and Northridge worked together to contain the spill."
Jeffrey said all appropriate state agencies have been briefed on the situation, and the truck owner's insurance company will pay all cleanup costs.
Herb was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he was listed in serious condition Tuesday afternoon after suffering moderate injuries.
More than 40 firefighters worked on scene Monday to contain the spill until hazmat crews arrived and Route 147 was closed for cleanup. With the help of fire police from Sunbury, Northumberland and Selinsgrove, one lane of traffic was opened at 2:45 p.m. Monday,
Both traffic lanes on Route 147 were fully opened at 5 p.m. Monday.
The Northumberland County Department of Public Safety is asking that motorists use caution in the area of Route 147 and Brush Valley Road while workers clean up the area.