In a dramatic and harrowing incident, a tractor-trailer carrying what authorities believe were gas containers collided with the bottom of an overhead railroad bridge in Glenville, upstate New York, on Thursday night, leading to a catastrophic explosion.
The crash, which occurred as a freight train was traversing the tracks above, left the truck driver seriously injured and caused a temporary power outage in the local area.
Truck Crash Complexity
At approximately 6:30 p.m The tractor-trailer struck the bridge, located about 30 miles northwest of Albany, with authorities indicating that the driver appeared to have ignored warning signs indicating a height clearance of 10 feet (3 meters).
The impact resulted in a fiery explosion, sending flames shooting into the sky. Video footage and news photos captured the intensity of the blaze as the truck became wedged under the bridge, nearly tipping over.
Officials on the scene believe the tractor-trailer was transporting containers of compressed natural gas, adding a layer of complexity and urgency to the emergency response.
Remarkably, no major damage was reported to the passing train, which continued its journey without stopping.
Christopher Koetzle, the Glenville town supervisor, expressed his concerns, stating, “The first thought was, ‘god forbid if there is a fatality here.’ This is something we have feared for years. This is obviously the most significant hit we’ve had to our bridges. It should invoke more discussion on this absolutely.”
As a precautionary measure, multiple homes near the crash site were evacuated, and power to homes and businesses on the east side of town was temporarily disrupted for about two hours.
The 60-year-old truck driver, hailing from Texas, sustained serious injuries, including third-degree burns, and was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center for treatment.
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Gas Truck Explodes After Striking striking Bridge in Glenville
Adding to the complexities of the situation, a local fire chief responding to the truck crash was involved in a separate accident en route.
Thomas Corners Chief Dan Vlainich, with lights and sirens activated, collided with a vehicle attempting to make a left turn.
Three individuals were subsequently transported to the hospital with injuries of unknown severity. Emergency crews were still working to extract the damaged truck from under the bridge as of Friday.
Following the removal, engineers were scheduled to inspect the bridge to assess the extent of the damage caused by the explosive collision.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with the transportation of hazardous materials and the critical need for heightened safety measures to prevent such catastrophic events.
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