SPILL CLOSES ROUTE 202

3 cars collide on side road after traffic diverted

WESTTOWN » A leaking tractor trailer loaded with 8,500 gallons of hazardous material closed down Route 202 for much of the day Wednesday as hazmat crews worked to contain a leak of the volatile material.

West Chester firefighters and the Chester County hazardous materials unit was dispatched shortly before 11 a.m. for the truck which had stopped in the parking lane in front of the Westtown Condominiums in the northbound direction near Skiles Road.

An overflow valve began leaking the product Isopentane, an extremely volatile, colorless, watery liquid which has a gasoline odor and is flammable at room temperature.

Markings indicate the truck was from C Three Logistics of Pittsgrove, New Jersey.

Officials closed the road in both directions from South High Street to Route 926 (Street Road) as crews worked to ascertain the contents, a plan of attack and necessary safety precautions. Nearby residents were not affected by the incident.

Hazmat crews worked to control the leak as firefighters stretched hose lines during the operation.

“The leak was from an overflow valve. Chester County Hazmat released a pressure valve on the tank which stopped the leak,” said West Chester Public Information Officer Dave March. “The amount that leaked is unknown because it evaporates when in contact with the air.”

The leak was contained by 12:30 p.m. However, a second tank truck needed to be brought in to off-load the product from the damaged trailer. That truck arrived shortly after 1 p.m. and by 3 p.m., the road was reopened to traffic.

During the incident, traffic was diverted onto side roads which resulted in at least one serious accident.

Three cars collided at East Pleasant Grove and South Concord roads. The driver of a Nissan Sentra crashed into two other cars then continued south before hitting a tree. The driver of the car was treated by medics from Good Fellowship ambulance; however the driver’s dog succumbed to injuries.

PETE BANNAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP This tractor trailer loaded with 8,500 gallons of a flammable material closed Route 202 for much of the day.

PETE BANNAN — MEDIANEWS GROUP First responders treat a victim of an accident while a passerby tries to aid an injured dog from the crash at E. Pleasant and S. Concord roads Wednesday after an accident. The dog did not survive.