Massachusetts Gasoline Spill Contaminates Merrimack River

At 9:17 this morning, the tanker truck carrying about 10,000 gallons of gasoline crashed, overturned and ruptured on Interstate 95, near the northern Massachusetts town of Newburyport. Other cars were involved in the crash, which closed both sides of the highway.

A medical evacuation helicopter was requested for accident victims, including the driver of the tanker. State Police have not released the victims' names or information about their condition.

The truck suffered structural damage, resulting in the release of 8,000 to 9,000 gallons of gasoline into the environment half a mile south of the Merrimack River.

Gasoline flowed from the scene into the storm drains and into the Merrimack River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Newburyport. There is currently a 500-foot security zone in effect around the scene of the incident.

Recreational vessels at Newburyport, where the Merrimack River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. (Photo by Kathleen Milstein)

Coast Guard Station Merrimack River responded with a 25-foot response boat crew. Two Newburyport harbor master vessels, an Amesbury harbor master vessel, and a Salisbury harbor master vessel also are on scene.

Coast Guard marine science technicians are en route with a pollution response trailer.

"We are on scene and taking action to control the amount of pollution," said Lt.j.g. Shelly Wyman, command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Boston. "We are grateful to the local assets that are on scene, which will help with containment efforts."

The Town of Newburyport has shut down one private drinking water well and a small sewage lift station.

The tanker has been uprighted and remaining gasoline is being pumped out of the damaged vehicle.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently the lead federal response agency. EPA personnel are working with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and numerous local response agencies.

EPA has deployed two on scene coordinators and contractor personnel, who have integrated into the incident command. EPA has deployed monitoring equipment to check for volatile organics in a nearby neighborhood where 12 homes have been evacuated.

EPA is also deploying additional clean up contractors to assist with containment of fuel on the river and eventual clean up of the Merrimack River and impacted coastal areas.

Mass DEP is deploying boats and boom material to contain the spilled gasoline. Some boom materials are already in the river and more are being deployed. In addition, MassDEP also deployed its Field Assessment and Support Team vehicle to monitor air conditions and assessment activities.

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries will also conduct assessment of any impacts to shellfish resources.

Copyright Environment News Service, ENS, 2009. All rights reserved.