81
Police shut down a section of Highway 19 on the Hawaii island for most of the day Monday after a tanker truck landed in the Kaawalii Gulch.
Just after 10:30 a.m. Monday, firefighters responded to the single-vehicle crash involving the truck on the highway between the 28- and 29-mile markers in Laupahoehoe. The Hawaii County Fire Department said the truck struck a guardrail, flipped over and landed midway into the gulch.
Battalion Chief Matthias Kusch said a large tree prevented the truck from reaching the bottom of the gulch.
The truck driver sustained minor injuries and was able to exit the vehicle on his own. The fire department said paramedics transported him to Hilo Medical Center to be treated for his injuries.
Police set up a contraflow lane near the Kaawalii Gulch following the crash. To aid in the recovery of the truck, the fire department said a biodiesel truck arrived to offload 6,000 gallons of used cooking oil from the tanker truck.
Kusch said the container carrying the cooking oil remained intact in the crash.
By late afternoon, police shut down a section of the highway while crews used a crane to recover the truck from the gulch. The highway was reopened sometime before 9:50 p.m.
By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines.
Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.