This from Dave Weaver:
3/6/18 AURORA – HazMat Response for Diesel Spill into Fox River after Crash – According to the Aurora FD, at 10:23 a.m., they responded to the intersection of Galena Blvd. and Highland Ave. for a two-vehicle injury accident involving a passenger vehicle and a semi tanker truck. Upon arrival, firefighters found the truck leaking diesel fuel from one of its saddle tanks that was damaged when the crash occurred. The driver of the passenger vehicle, a 24-year-old Aurora man and his passenger, a 25-year-old Aurora woman, were transported to an area hospital for minor injuries. The truck driver, a 55-year-old man from Long Point, IL refused medical treatment.
Due to the amount of leaking diesel fuel, a Level II Hazardous Material Response was needed which brought specialized equipment and firefighters trained to handle hazardous material incidents to the scene. It was estimated that between 50-60 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from the truck which then entered the storm sewer system before it could be fully contained. It was further estimated that approximately 40 gallons of fuel subsequently entered the storm sewer system and traveled to the Fox River at a discharge point in the 400 block of South River St., about one mile from the original crash site. The Aurora Water and Sewer Department was contacted and they were quickly able to determine the exact location where the fuel was entering the river. The Aurora FD Hazardous Material team responded to this location and was able to contain the fuel limiting the spread into the river. A private environmental cleanup contractor was contacted by the trucking company to clean the area where the crash occurred, the storm sewer, and section of the Fox River.
Due to the nature of the incident, the Aurora Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Coast Guard were notified. The Montgomery FD and North Aurora FD assisted in the mitigation of the incident which was terminated at 12:48 p.m. Drinking water was not affected.
Video by Dave Weaver
