Two injured and diesel fuel spills after septic tanker rollover near Calistoga
- A septic tanker truck overturned on Silverado Trail North in unincorporated Napa County, resulting in two people needing extrication.
- The accident led to approximately 30 gallons of diesel fuel leaking into a ditch, prompting a hazmat response.
- Emergency services effectively contained the spill, and the situation was managed without significant environmental impact.
In early Friday morning, November 29, 2024, in the United States, a significant incident occurred involving a septic tanker truck on the 4500 block of Silverado Trail North, located in unincorporated Napa County, just south of Calistoga. At approximately 5:21 a.m., the vehicle experienced a solo rollover accident, leading to an urgent response from multiple local emergency services. The California Fire Department's Cal Fire, along with officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and firefighters from the Napa County Fire Department, arrived at the scene to manage the circumstances of the accident. As a result of the crash, two individuals within the truck sustained injuries that necessitated immediate medical attention. Firefighters worked diligently to extricate both victims trapped inside the vehicle, highlighting the serious nature of the collision. One of the injured parties was airlifted to a nearby hospital due to the gravity of their injuries, which were classified as major. The second individual also required hospitalization but was reported to have sustained moderate injuries. This alarming rollover incident raised significant concerns regarding hazardous material control due to the nature of the vehicle involved. Upon investigation, it was discovered that during the rollover, approximately 30 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into a nearby ditch. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife received notification about the environmental impact, necessitating a swift intervention from a specialized hazmat team identified as Hazmat-27, which is operated by Cal Fire. The team successfully contained the diesel spill and provided assurance that no fuel had reached or impacted a nearby creek. In addition to the hazardous materials response, soap and water were also spilled, further complicating the situation. Following the incident, Silverado Trail North was temporarily closed between Larkmead and Dunaweal lanes as emergency services conducted their operations. The road remained closed for several hours, with reopening occurring around 11 a.m. This event prompted notifications to the Governor's Office of Emergency Services and Napa County Environmental Health Division, ensuring that all necessary agencies were made aware of the circumstances. The incident highlights the dangers associated with transporting hazardous materials and the swift response required by local emergency services to protect both human life and the environment.