Fatal Tanker Truck Accident

U.s. Departtment of the Interi, May 11, 2005

The driver of a tanker truck carrying 8,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline was killed on the morning of April 26th when his truck failed to negotiate a curve, overturned and exploded about three miles south of Hell’s Gate on the Beatty Cutoff Road.

Park and California Highway Patrol units responded to the accident, with additional assistance provided by the fire department from nearby Beatty, Nevada. Due to the extreme intensity of the fire, suppression was not attempted. The road was closed and the fire was allowed to burn itself out.

The fire burned for over two hours, reaching temperatures hot enough to cause the truck and trailer’s aluminum cargo tanks to melt and flow. The park’s structural fire brigade mopped-up the fire. The preliminary determination of the cause of the accident is excessive speed on the long downhill grade, which led to the failure to negotiate the curve.

The remains of the truck were removed on Wednesday, April 28th. The Beatty Cutoff Road will remain closed until asphalt repairs and cleanup of contaminated soils can be completed. Ranger John Fish was IC for the incident