Part of the Alaska Highway is closed both ways heading south of Teslin after a fuel tanker truck went off the road at about 8:15 p.m. yesterday.
Highways and Public Works spokesperson Heather McKay said the truck, which crashed at kilometre 1105 near Canyon Creek, is a double-tanker known as a B train. At least one of the tanks has ruptured, she said.
The RCMP, Watson Lake Fire Department, and Yukon EMS responded to the crash.
The driver of the tanker was taken to hospital, Environment Yukon said in a statement. There was no immediate word on the driver’s condition.
About 20,000 litres of gasoline was spilled in the crash, the department says.
“Environment Yukon is now on site and the transport company has hired a contractor to address the incident.”
The Yukon511 website shows that the highway is closed between the Highway 37 junction and Teslin. Flagpersons are on site controlling traffic. The highway has been closed since about 8:30 p.m. last night.
An emergency social services unit with the Department of Health and Social Services has been providing stranded drivers with portable toilets, food and water, the statement says.
The road is expected to re-open sometime this evening, according to the department. Pilot cars will be helping manage the flow of traffic.
