Overturned Tractor Trailer Gas Leak Threatened Sweetwater Creek

DULUTH, GA, -- Gwinnett County firefighters managed to keep Sweetwater Creek safe while dealing with an overturned tractor trailer on Duluth Highway Tuesday. The driver got out of the cab and was not injured.

Firefighters responded at 3:18 p.m. to Duluth Highway NW between Boggs Road NW and Northmont Parkway NW. A caller to 911 reported the tractor trailer went over the guardrail and overturned.

The tractor trailer had ruptured a saddle tank and was actively leaking diesel fuel into the ground in close proximity to Sweetwater Creek. Hazardous Material Technicians arrived on scene shortly after the first arriving crews and began to mitigate the incident. A containment pool was placed underneath the active leak while team members patched the hole in the saddle tank. Additional crew members focused on Sweetwater Creek which appeared to not be affected.

SEE ALSO: Overturned Tractor Trailer Closes Duluth Highway

Firefighters constructed an underflow dam as precaution which is designed to keep fuel floating on top of water contained in an area while allowing the water underneath to keep flowing downstream. The creek tested negative for any contaminants. The entire scene was continuously monitored while heavy equipment was utilized to upright the tractor trailer for transport.

The tractor trailer was removed without Sweetwater Creek being affected. A representative from the Department of Water Resources was on scene monitoring the situation.

The incident has been turned over to the Gwinnett County Police Department with GDOT assessing the condition of the roadway and concrete guardrail.

Equipment at the scene: 1-Engine, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Hazmat Unit, 1-Rehab Unit, 1-Medic Unit and 1-Battalion Chief