Truck rollover closes Highway 3
Traffic blocked in both directions at Deh Cho Boulevard for hours
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
There was major traffic chaos on the outskirts of Yellowknife on Monday after a large tanker-truck, commonly referred to as a B-train, rolled on Highway 3 just west of Deh Cho Boulevard.
This photo of a truck rollover was taken Monday afternoon from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) otherwise known as a drone being utilized by RCMP. The crash occurred just after the noon hour when the B-train skidded off Hwy 3 at Deh Cho Blvd. The driver was not taken to hospital, police stated. It is not believed that any charges will be laid. The wreck closed the highway in both directions for about four hours, according to the department of transportation. - Photo courtesy of RCMP |
Traffic could not get through the crash scene in either direction for about four hours, according to Transportation Department spokesperson Ioana Spiridonica.
RCMP stated in a news release the driver, whom they do not identify, was not transported to hospital. The windshield of the vehicle had been knocked out but it is also not known whether that was the result of the crash or whether it was removed by emergency workers to free the driver.
RCMP stated the accident occurred at about 12:15 p.m. Police do not state what caused the rollover. The road was snow covered and fairly slippery at the time of the crash.
Several organizations responded to the scene including the Mounties, municipal enforcement officers, Yellowknife fire and ambulance crews, Yellowknife Airport fire crews, Department of Transportation personnel as well as employees from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It appeared as though the vehicle was Yellowknife-bound when the accident occurred.
RCMP stated there is no criminal investigation and their role was simply to assist in securing the scene. Westbound traffic was diverted onto Deh Cho Boulevard for most of the afternoon.
RCMP didn't release any further information on the crash, stating in an e-mail that it is not their investigation.
According to a spill report forwarded to Yellowknifer by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the truck is owned by Westcan Bulk Transport, an Edmonton-based company with an office on Old Airport Road. It was carrying aviation fuel at the time of the crash.
According to the spill report, fuel appeared to be leaking from the tanker hatches. Westcan was on scene containing the spill and there were no reports on any waterways in the area, the report stated.
Westcan officials had not responded to questions about the crash as of press time.
RCMP stated that they used an unmanned aerial vehicle, otherwise known as a drone, to take aerial photographs to assist the territorial government.
The truck was put back on its wheels and the highway was reopened at about 4:30 in the afternoon.
Highway 3 is quite busy these days with tractor trailers using it to get to the Ingraham Trail and onto the Tibbit to Contwoyto Winter Road to the diamond mines.
Dozens of trucks use the roads everyday to resupply the mines, something that can only be done by plane in summer.
Ron Near, director of winter road operations for the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road said the road closure did not affect trucks headed to the winter road.
