cullmantoday
FIERY 18-WHEELER ROLLOVER SHUTS DOWN INTERSTATE 65
A one vehicle crash has occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 near the 318-mile marker.
An 18-wheel box truck traveling northbound along Interstate 65 went off road just south of mile marker 318 around 2:00 am this morning. The crash triggered a fully involved cab fire as the big rig rolled over onto its passenger side.
Fortunately, the operator of the truck, with assistance from rapidly arriving emergency responders, was able to be extricated from the vehicle before the ensuing fire overcame him.
Multiple units from the Vinemont-Providence Fire Department (VPFD), Falkville Fire and Rescue (FFR) and Cullman Emergency Medical Services (CEMS) were among the first to arrive. Emergency medical technicians treated the driver at the scene and then transported him to Cullman Regional Medical Center. The extent and nature of the operator’s injuries are not publicly available; they are initially believed to be non-life threatening.
The rollover has created havoc on Interstate 65.
The northbound lanes were quickly shut down and detoured at the Alabama Highway 157 (Exit 310) intersection by units from Cullman Police Department and Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. Vehicles heading north towards Huntsville are detouring into the City of Cullman along Highway 157, then turning left up Highway 31 to rejoin Interstate 65 at the mile marker 318 interchange.
About four dozen 18 wheel vehicles and numerous passenger cars made it north past 157 before the Interstate was shutdown and detoured. These vehicles and drivers found the entirety of the northbound section of the Interstate blocked at the crash site.
As a result, these folks have gotten an unexpected and unwanted rest stop directly on the interstate. Many motorists have shut down their running lights. They are patiently waiting for the roadway to clear. In speaking with a handful of individuals waiting it out, while not happy about the delay, they were reasonable and phlegmatic about their plight. One motorist traveling to Kentucky on business had this to say, “Had I known I was going to be stuck in this, I’d have just gotten a room. Looks like I am going to miss my 10 am meeting … at least I have a good excuse. It’s damn cold though … I hope I don’t run out of gas.”
The southbound lanes of Interstate 65 near the wreck site are unaffected.
Due to the extent of the damage along the roadway and the release of petrochemicals from the eighteen wheeler, Cullman County Hazardous Materials Team is on scene working to mitigate the environmental impact of the incident.
Troopers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are also on scene conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances that caused the crash. It is unclear initially what might have been at play at a causal level in this incident. That information will likely remain unknown until Troopers have completed their work and issued a final report.
Brutal cold and cutting winds have made an already stressful and difficult situation for emergency responders even more of challenge.
As of 6:15 am (the time of this report), Interstate 65 is still closed. It may be some time before the colossal debris field (which includes extensive damage to the guard rail system) is removed and the roadway/shoulder areas are made passable. While we cannot predict when this section of Interstate 65 will re-open, it is safe to assume it will effect morning drive time traffic.
Earl’s Body Shop (and Wrecker Service) has drawn the short straw. They get to provide the unenviable service of extracting the big rig, getting it upright and fully removed from the the scene.
If you are traveling northbound through Cullman on Interstate 65 this morning, some advanced planning and use of roadway navigation maps and alerts is smart business.
Live video by our citizen reporter: Tisha McBrayer
Full story here: cullmantoday.com/2016/02/11/fiery-18-wheeler-rollover-shu...
FIERY 18-WHEELER ROLLOVER SHUTS DOWN INTERSTATE 65
A one vehicle crash has occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 near the 318-mile marker.
An 18-wheel box truck traveling northbound along Interstate 65 went off road just south of mile marker 318 around 2:00 am this morning. The crash triggered a fully involved cab fire as the big rig rolled over onto its passenger side.
Fortunately, the operator of the truck, with assistance from rapidly arriving emergency responders, was able to be extricated from the vehicle before the ensuing fire overcame him.
Multiple units from the Vinemont-Providence Fire Department (VPFD), Falkville Fire and Rescue (FFR) and Cullman Emergency Medical Services (CEMS) were among the first to arrive. Emergency medical technicians treated the driver at the scene and then transported him to Cullman Regional Medical Center. The extent and nature of the operator’s injuries are not publicly available; they are initially believed to be non-life threatening.
The rollover has created havoc on Interstate 65.
The northbound lanes were quickly shut down and detoured at the Alabama Highway 157 (Exit 310) intersection by units from Cullman Police Department and Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. Vehicles heading north towards Huntsville are detouring into the City of Cullman along Highway 157, then turning left up Highway 31 to rejoin Interstate 65 at the mile marker 318 interchange.
About four dozen 18 wheel vehicles and numerous passenger cars made it north past 157 before the Interstate was shutdown and detoured. These vehicles and drivers found the entirety of the northbound section of the Interstate blocked at the crash site.
As a result, these folks have gotten an unexpected and unwanted rest stop directly on the interstate. Many motorists have shut down their running lights. They are patiently waiting for the roadway to clear. In speaking with a handful of individuals waiting it out, while not happy about the delay, they were reasonable and phlegmatic about their plight. One motorist traveling to Kentucky on business had this to say, “Had I known I was going to be stuck in this, I’d have just gotten a room. Looks like I am going to miss my 10 am meeting … at least I have a good excuse. It’s damn cold though … I hope I don’t run out of gas.”
The southbound lanes of Interstate 65 near the wreck site are unaffected.
Due to the extent of the damage along the roadway and the release of petrochemicals from the eighteen wheeler, Cullman County Hazardous Materials Team is on scene working to mitigate the environmental impact of the incident.
Troopers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are also on scene conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances that caused the crash. It is unclear initially what might have been at play at a causal level in this incident. That information will likely remain unknown until Troopers have completed their work and issued a final report.
Brutal cold and cutting winds have made an already stressful and difficult situation for emergency responders even more of challenge.
As of 6:15 am (the time of this report), Interstate 65 is still closed. It may be some time before the colossal debris field (which includes extensive damage to the guard rail system) is removed and the roadway/shoulder areas are made passable. While we cannot predict when this section of Interstate 65 will re-open, it is safe to assume it will effect morning drive time traffic.
Earl’s Body Shop (and Wrecker Service) has drawn the short straw. They get to provide the unenviable service of extracting the big rig, getting it upright and fully removed from the the scene.
If you are traveling northbound through Cullman on Interstate 65 this morning, some advanced planning and use of roadway navigation maps and alerts is smart business.
Live video by our citizen reporter: Tisha McBrayer
Full story here: cullmantoday.com/2016/02/11/fiery-18-wheeler-rollover-shu...