[Press Release] : Columbia firefighters on the scene of tractor trailer crash

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Battalion Chief Steven E. Sapp, Public Information Officer -
(573) 499-7035 

Columbia firefighters on the scene of tractor trailer crash 

COLUMBIA, MO (March 13, 2008) - Columbia firefighters were called just
before 10 a.m. to the Highway 63 Connector and the eastbound on-ramp to
I-70 for an overturned tractor trailer. Original reports indicated a
significant fuel leak and possible injuries. Because of these reports,
the hazardous materials truck was dispatched to the scene. 

Upon arrival, firefighters quickly determined that the fuel leak from
the vehicle was minimal and that the driver of the truck, Royce Whitlow,
27, of Texas, was not injured and refused medical attention. 

Columbia firefighters were able to plug the leaking diesel fuel tank
and estimate that less then 15 gallons of fuel leaked onto the gravel
median of the on-ramp. An absorbent material was spread to absorb any
fuel on the ground. The Northeast Regional Office of the Department of
Natural Resources was notified of the incident. 

The truck, a 2005 Freightliner, licensed to Trans-AM Trucking and
connected to a refrigerated trailer, was carrying 42,000 pounds of
frozen pork riblets to a warehouse in Memphis, Tenn. Columbia/Boone
County Health officials were notified and responded to the scene to
determine what course of action to take with the frozen meat product.
Much of the product was transferred to another refrigerated trailer
brought in from Montgomery City, Mo., but damaged boxes were taken to
the city of Columbia landfill for disposal. Columbia/Boone County health
officials will witness the disposal of the damaged product at the
landfill. 

Firefighters and other emergency works, including the Columbia/Boone
County Health Department, remained on the scene for most of the day. As
of 4:15 p.m., the product transfer and disposal was complete. Wrecker
services will now upright the tractor trailer and hope to have the
eastbound entrance ramp opened around 5 p.m. today. 

- 30 -
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