03/10/2004, Ingram Trail, NT. Substance: Ammonium Nitrate
During transport on a flatbed trainer, two bulk bags containing ammonium nitrate fell off the trailer when the straps holding the bulk bags came loose. The bags ruptured upon impact with the road surface releasing 2,000 kilograms of product. There were no injuries. Company personnel were on site to clean up the spilled product.

05/17/2004, Valleyfield, QC. Substance: Vinyl Acetate, Stabilized
During a transfer operation from a rail tank car containing stabilized vinyl acetate into a tank trailer, an explosion and fire occurred from the manway cover on the tank trailer burning over 200 litres of product. One employee who was near the tanker at the time of the explosion suffered fatal injuries. Emergency response personnel were on site to extinguish the fire and investigate the cause of the explosion.

07/02/2004, Cambridge, ON. Substance: Gasoline and Diesel Fuel
During transport, a tractor tank trailer and B-Train pup containing gasoline and diesel fuel overturned and was damaged releasing 5,896 litres of gasoline and 1,000 litres of diesel fuel, some of which entered a storm sewer and flowed into a nearby river. The driver sustained minor injuries and was treated in hospital. Emergency response personnel were on site and evacuated 20 persons from nine nearby homes while they contained and cleaned up the spill on the road and from the river, before transferring the remaining products into other tank trailers, flushing the sewer system and righting the overturned unit.

08/06/2004, Burnaby, BC. Substance: Hydrogen, Refrigerated Liquid
While setting up to unload from a tank trailer containing hydrogen, refrigerated liquid, the wrong valve was opened. This sudden release of hydrogen resulted in the ignition and burning of 1,459 litres of product. One of the two drivers sustained minor burns and was treated at the scene. Emergency response personnel were on site and established a one-mile evacuation perimeter while they cooled the tank with water until they were able to shut off the valve, which stopped the flow of the product. The Emergency Response Assistance Plan was activated during the incident.

08/08/2004, Estevan, SK. Substance: Anhydrous Ammonia
While pushing tank cars into a town spur line at low speed, a train derailed five rail tank cars containing anhydrous ammonia, four of which overturned. One tank car sustained a damaged weld, releasing a small amount of the product. There were no injuries. Emergency response personnel were on site and evacuated 150 nearby residents while they checked for leaks and damage, transferred the product from the overturned tank cars into other tank cars and tank trailers and depressurized and rerailed all the tank cars. They were then moved under estoppels to a repair facility. The Emergency Response Assistance Plan was activated during the accident.

10/06/2004, Radium Hot Springs, BC. Substance: Liquefied Petroleum Gas
During transport on a downhill curve in rainy weather conditions, a tractor tank trailer and pup containing 64,000 litres of liquefied petroleum gas struck a concrete curb. Both tank trailers became disconnected, broke through the curb and overturned down an embankment into a pond. The lead trailer ruptured, caught fire and exploded burning 31,5000 litres of product. The second trailer sustained damage and leaked 500 litres of product. The tractor overturned into the opposite ditch and caught fire, burning completely. The driver sustained fatal injuries. Emergency response personnel at the site closed the highway while the fires were extinguished and flared off the remaining 32,000 litres of product in the second trailer before clearing the accident scene. The Emergency Response Assistance Plan was activated during the accident.

Source: Transport Dangerous Goods Newsletter, Spring 2005. Transport Canada.
 

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