XNG CNG Truck Crash

Here's the report of our 911 coordinator regarding the crash of the XNG CNG truck that overturned just out of Hartwick (please forgive the formatting errors which are apparently inherent in the cut/paste process):

Good Morning,

At the request of Mr. Frazier I am forwarding to the full Board a summary of Tuesday's incident in the Town of Otsego that was provided to the Public Safety & Legal Affairs Committee on Tuesday evening. 

I want to take an opportunity to update all of you on the accident this morning.  At approximately 8:20 this morning I monitored the Fly Creek Fire Company dispatched to a one car Motor Vehicle Accident on St. Hwy, 205 near the intersection with Bristol Road with information that it was a gas truck on it's roof.  At the same time I was notified of the same and was only approximately 5 minutes from the scene.  Upon my arrival, I discovered an XNG tractor trailer on it's roof in the ditch on the right hand side of the road.  The driver had somehow climbed out of the truck and was seated in another vehicle being treated by a paramedic that was travelling through.  The driver confirmed that he was "empty" and traveling to PA.  I contacted the 911 Center who advised they had made contact with the Gas Company's 24 hour response line and they would have personnel there within 90 minutes.  Two other XNG drivers also stopped and provided information about the truck and stayed at the scene until the Company representatives arrived on the scene.  There were no residences within a 1/2 mile radius.

Working with the parties represented at the scene, it was determined that there was no damage to the tanks within the trailer and no leak was present.  Tow companies (Chuck's Towing in Richfield and Clinton Collision) were notified to begin working on recovering the truck and trailer.  NYS Department of Transportation was notified to respond and close State Highway 205 to ensure a safe work zone.  It was decided to perform a controlled release of the compressed gas that the tractor operates on prior to recovery.  During the controlled release, the road was closed and all individuals retired to a safe zone.  Gas monitoring was performed during the release to ensure safety.  The highest recorded reading of gas during the release was approximately 0.4.  To put this in perspective a reading of approximately 5.0 is the lower range of the "zone of concern".  

Agencies on the scene included the Fly Creek Fire Company, Otsego County Sheriff's, State DOT, Verizon, tow companies and XNG.  The Hartwick Fire Department was utilized in assisting with the closure of State Hwy 205 at the four corners in Hartwick.  All agencies worked well together and the situation was successfully resolved with no other issues noted.  The last units cleared the scene at approximately 4:45PM.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the office number below or via cell at 437-4247.

In addition, I have attached several hand-outs that were provided by XNG to the folks that attended the classes hosted by this office.  The safety features on the trailer performed as they were designed and there was minimal damage to the trailer itself.  While not being complacent, there was a comfort level with this situation due to the knowledge that we had received in the training offered by the company.  

I encourage any of you to speak with members of the Fire Departments in your respective districts that may have attended the training.  In addition, if there are any local governments or groups that may want additional information I would be happy to attend any meetings that may be arranged to ensure accurate information is provided concerning this incident.

Arthur R. Klingler Jr.
Emergency Services Coordinator-Otsego County
Phone (607) 547-4227
Fax (607) 547-4377

This truck crash enjoyed every bit of luck possible:  'empty' (which is a relative term), no breaches, driver not injured, no other vehicles involved, no buildings involved, no houses within half a mile.

The next one, given the laws of probability, will not enjoy every one of these benefits.  Which one(s) won't we benefit from?