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Tractor-trailer overturns on Route 15 spur Monday evening

A little more than an hour after this tanker truck crashed about 6:10 p.m. Monday on the Route 15 South spur, two heavy-duty wreckers and other equipment arrived to begin the extensive clean up operation. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette

It has happened yet again.

Just after 6 p.m. Monday, a tractor-trailer driver lost control of his rig, crashing through guardrails and overturning on the Route 15 South spur, spilling an unknown amount of his cargo of 6,000 gallons of lubricating oil, according to city firefighters.

The driver was hurt, but his injuries did not appear to be life threatening, officials said. The driver, who was assisted out of the cab, was taken by ambulance to UPMC Williamsport.

A special hazardous materials emergency response team was en route to the crash site, just west of the Maynard Street interchange.

With the Susquehanna River about 100 yards away, there was serious concern over the spilled oil reaching the water.

PennDOT was detouring all traffic away from the spur, which was expected to remain closed for several hours.

The last tractor-trailer truck to crash at this infamous location for truck wrecks was just over nine weeks ago, on May 2, when a male driver and his male passenger were both injured, one seriously.

More details were expected to be released Tuesday about this most recent accident.

When this tanker truck crashed, it tore a sizeable hole in the tanker. An undetermined amount of the cargoes 6,000 gallons of lubricating oil gushed out. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette

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