Fuel tank overturns into river along Richardson Highway

ANCHORAGE — A semi pulling two diesel fuel tank trailers crashed last week and one tank landed in a river bed north of Valdez.

The tank trailer overturned and landed in an old channel of the Tsania River, spilling a small amount of fuel, said Alaska State Troopers on Monday.

The Department of Environmental Conservation says spilled oil was confined to a ditch adjacent to the highway in the old channel.

The department says no fuel made it into the flowing channel of the river.

The accident occurred Friday near mile marker 42 on Richardson Highway.

Dale Cropp, 59, was driving north in a Big State Logistics semi when he attempted to pull into a turnout to remove chains from his truck, troopers said

He lost control and the rear tank trailer rolled over an embankment onto its top in the river.

Cropp was not injured.

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