This gas tanker disconnected and rolled as the driver lost control around a curve in Keysville Friday, April 28.
The smell of gasoline filled the air as first responders rushed to Keysville Friday, April 28 after a driver lost control of his tanker truck on Hwy 88.
The tanker separated from the cab and flipped into an empty field next to the Post Office. Residents across the street rushed to the driver’s aid, cutting his seatbelt to release him, said Mayor Linda Wilkes. The driver, 65-year-old Raymond Hamilton, was taken to Augusta University Hospital for minor injuries while the 8,000 gallons of gasoline the truck was carrying began to leak onto the ground.
Authorities evacuated the immediate area at approximately 4 p.m., including the Keysville City Hall, Post Office and the Mayor’s home. Wilkes said she was unable to return to her home for more than eight hours as the clean-up process took place. A hole was open in the ground until early Saturday morning to remove the contaminated soil, she said. The hole is approximately 40 feet long and on one end is more than 5-feet deep.
Leaked gasoline was removed from the ground leaving a hole approximately 40 feet long and reaching depths of more than 5 feet on one end.
According to the Burke County Sheriff ’s Office incident report, Hamilton was traveling south in the rig owned by Reladyne Transport. He failed to negotiate a right-hand curve and lost control of the gasoline tanker which continued to travel approximately 225 feet before leaving the north bound shoulder. The tanker then traveled approximately 175 feet into an open field, overturning several times before coming to rest facing south.
An investigation that included dash/cab video showed Hamilton was driving too fast for conditions.
The Environmental Protection Department, Georgia Natural Gas, The Department of Transportation, Hazmat, and Motor Carry Compliance Division were notified, the BCSO report states.
Hamilton was cited for failure to maintain lane, driving too fast for conditions, reckless driving and distracted driving.
EPD spokesperson Sara Lips said approximately 1,500 gallons of gasoline were released onto the ground. Reladyne had an environmental contractor on the scene within two hours of the accident.
“Along with initial confinement to reduce spread of the material, as of 4 p.m. (Monday) the contractor has excavated several tons of soil and is testing the release area to see if it requires further excavation,” she said by email.“The closest instance of Brier Creek in proximity to the release site is .47 miles away. There were no waterways affected by this release and remediation is still underway.”
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