The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Little to no fuel spilled into river
by Olivia Lueckemeyer
On January 29 Colorado State Patrol responded to an incident in which a diesel tanker rolled into the Taylor River after veering too far to the right and hitting a snow-crusted shoulder. The driver was transported by EMS to the Gunnison Valley Hospital. He was released a short time later.
Resting on its passenger side, partially in the river, the truck was discovered near mile marker 9 of Taylor River Road (CR 742). The attached trailer was still upright with its cargo of snowmobiles intact and undamaged. Though the tanker truck was reported to be carrying approximately 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel, it is believed that minimal to no fuel was spilled into the river. The truck and trailer were recovered by H&H towing.
The truck sustained minor damage and the recovery operation was completed without incident. CR 742 was closed temporarily to allow several tow trucks to unload the trailer, then remove the trailer from the truck and the truck from the river. Colorado State Patrol took the lead in investigating the accident; however the United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Colorado Parks and Wildlife all responded to assist.
