by David Flint
A propane truck that went out of control, rolled over and ended up in a ditch had fire and emergency units scrambling and nerves on edge Monday. The accident happened shortly after noon on November 14 on South Stephentown Road just north of the New Lebanon line. According to Stephentown Fire Department Assistant Chief Rik McClave, first responders determined that the driver of the Main Care Energy truck had only minor injuries, and he declined to be taken to a hospital. He had, he said, swerved to miss a deer on the road. The truck, however, had overturned and was lying on its side in a ditch. Fortunately the tank, estimated to be holding up to 1,800 gallons of propane, was not leaking.
McClave reported that initial response included Stephentown Fire with one pumper and a rescue truck. NY State Police were also dispatched and arrived quickly assisting in traffic control and accident investigation. Mutual aid was requested from the Lebanon Valley Protective Association (LVPA) to close Columbia County Rt. 9 at Adams Crossing Road. McClave said that the resident of the closest house was not at home and no evacuations were necessary.
Hazardous materials specialists, one each from Rensselaer County and Columbia County arrived to assist with the accident, as did the owner of Main Care Energy. A tow truck from Dawson Towing also arrived but was unable to retrieve the truck from the ditch until three trucks from Fairpoint Communications arrived to remove overhead fiber optic lines that were in the way.
McClave said that water tank trucks were dispatched from LVPA, Tsatsawassa, Hoags Corners, Berlin and Hancock, MA. The Grafton Fire Department responded with their light tower. The Hancock Fire Department also stood by at the Stephentown Fire Station with a pumper and rescue truck to respond to any other emergencies that might arise.
The truck was eventually retrieved from the ditch and towed away and all departments cleared the scene by 7:30 pm. Although the propane tank had apparently not been breached, the truck was considered to be a total loss.
“Stephentown Fire Department would like to thank everyone for their calm and professional response to what could have been a very different scenario,” McClave said.
