Overturned Tanker Spills 12,000 Gallons of Gasoline

June 10, 2004

On June 10th at 7:33 pm, New Hackensack Fire Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle rollover accident with minor injuries. Prior to arrival, Dutchess 911 notified New Hackensack that a gasoline tanker carrying 12,500 gallons of gasoline had turned over. Initial reports also indicated the tank had ruptured, releasing the contents.  New Hackensack Command requested mutual aid from the Dutchess County Hazardous Material Team in addition to the Dutchess County Airport Crash Truck. Dutchess County Highway Department responded with sand to assist with diking the spill to prevent contamination of Wappinger Creek. Upon investigation, it was determined that all of the gas had spilled from the tanker. NYS DEC was notified and arrived on scene to assist with the incident. New Hackensack also received mutual aid assistance from Arlington, Hughsonville, East Fishkill, Wappingers Falls, New Hamburg, and LaGrange Fire Departments and Alamo Ambulance. IBM Poughkeepsie provided additional foam. Over 600 gallons of foam was used to suppress the gas vapors. The incident is under investigation by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department. New Hackensack cleared the incident at 2:45 am.  Town of Wappinger Supervisor Joseph Ruggiero issued an Executive Order declaring an emergency water conservation since one of the two wells that feeds Wappinger residents was shut down due to the concern it might get contaminated.  The incident also closed Jackson Road between New Hackensack Road and Citation Drive for the next few weeks during cleanup.  (Pictures by Bill Johnson)