Propane truck crash forces evacuation
Idaho State Police Trooper Jeff Jayne (left) and Hope/East Hope Fire Chief Robert Moore discuss an evacuation plan after a propane truck overturned on Cedar Street on Friday. (Photo by KEITH KINNAIRD)
News editor
EAST HOPE - About a dozen homes were evacuated Friday after a propane delivery truck overturned on an ice-caked stretch of road overlooking the city.
The crash sent truck's driver to Bonner General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and preliminary reports indicated a small gas leak was detected in the hose coiled onto a reel on the vehicle.
The name of the driver was not released.
Hope/East Hope Fire Chief Robert Moore said the driver was quickly extricated by Bob Wathen and George Cordingly, the chiefs of the Sam Owen Fire District and Clark Fork Fire Department, respectively.
The steep and narrow roads leading to the crash scene were covered with tire-polished ice and compacted snow.
The Northern Energy truck, which was fitted with a 3,000-gallon storage tank, tipped onto its passenger side at about 11 a.m. on Cedar Lane, north of the Spring Street intersection.
"There was no apparent leakage in the snow," Moore said during a conference call with state disaster officials.
As a precaution, Idaho State Police troopers and fire officials ordered an evacuation of 10-15 homes in the immediate area. Firefighters could be seen going door to door to advise residents of the mishap.
Moore made arrangements to open East Hope City Hall for use as a warming shelter and said Red Cross was notified.