4,950 gallons of a methanol-based mixture from the semi truck spilled down on Vail Pass closed westbound Interstate 70.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vail, Colorado, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) October 31, 2011 -- The incident closed westbound Interstate 70 for about seven hours.

The truck was hauling 4,950 gallons of a methanol-based mixture, and less than 100 gallons spilled into the Black Gore Creek.

Vail's drinking water remains safe.

The driver reportedly lost his brakes at mile marker 187, about three miles past the summit of Vail Pass, and called “mayday” on his CB radio, according to the town of Vail. He was unable to take the truck ramp at mile marker 186 because of heavy traffic in the right lane, and continued down the pass at speeds approaching 85 miles per hour toward the lower truck ramp.

He then reported almost missing that ramp due to traffic and managed to pull into the ramp at the last minute

The truck exited the interstate at mile marker 182, two miles east of East Vail, and traveled up the ramp at about 12:50 p.m. It lost its 15 330-gallon storage containers, all of which were ruptured in the crash, Several of the containers rolled back down onto the interstate.

The Environmental Protection Agency and hazardous materials teams were on site assessing the spill and cleaning it up.

The driver of the truck was uninjured, and no other vehicles were involved in the incident, Motorists were redirected to Highway 91 and Highway 24. The westbound interstate reopened at about 8 p.m.

Water district officials were notified of the accident quickly and shut off wells that collect water for the town's drinking system.

Water is totally safe and was never in question.

They added that it was unclear if any hazardous material made it to local waterways, but the water district is operating as if it did..

The Eagle River Water and Sanitation District's water intakes will remain shut off in the Gore Creek and Eagle River below the spill until any risk of collecting unsafe water has passed.

In coming days, the district will test water above, at and below the spill to monitor its quality.

More information can be found online at http://www.truckingaccidentinfo.com/article/4950-gallons-of-a-methanol-based-mixture-from-the-semi-truck-spilled-down-on-vail-pass-closed-westbound-interstate-70

4     950 gallons of methanol     Black Gore Creek     CO Colorado     flammable     semi truck     Vail     Vail Pass