Moose becomes factor in truck’s spill
A semi-truck carrying approximately 48,000 litres of fuel slid into the ditch and spilled some fuel near Pelly Crossing last Saturday to avoid slamming into a moose.
A semi-truck carrying approximately 48,000 litres of fuel slid into the ditch and spilled some fuel near Pelly Crossing last Saturday to avoid slamming into a moose.
The RCMP said Tuesday afternoon the driver was heading north on the North Klondike Highway and attempted to avoid the collision with the ungulate.
“Due to the steep grade and icy/snowy conditions, the driver was unable to stop and went into the ditch,” police said. “There were no injuries in the collision.”
Pelly Crossing RCMP set up a perimeter, as the fuel trailer was leaking diesel at a consistent rate.
The leakage was stopped with about 2,000 litres of fuel being spilled onto the ground.
Environment Yukon personnel attended the scene and obtained ground samples.
The clean-up is being co-ordinated with assistance from an environmental protection officer.
Staff from the Department of Highways and Public Works from Stewart Crossing and Mayo remained on the scene for traffic control while the truck was removed.
The highway is now cleared, and no more delays are expected, police said.
Comments (7)
Up 7 Down 3
Yukon Justice on Feb 3, 2020 at 2:39 pm
I'm glad the driver is okay but I'm happy the moose walked away to live another day.
And cut the BS about hitting the moose dead on that is just stupid and an old wives tale.
Up 24 Down 5
David Anderson on Jan 31, 2020 at 9:15 am
Settle down, people. It's easy to pass judgment on a guy when you weren't there in the heat of the moment. Hitting a moose with a big truck is far from risk-free. A moose in a big animal. The moose could go through the windshield, you could get major whiplash, you might end up in the ditch anyway, etc...
Also, we shouldn't assume that the driver was aiming for the ditch, as assumed in three previous comments. He could have tried going around the moose and lost control. He might have been going slow enough that going around the moose was a reasonable risk. We don't know, because we weren't there. As such, maybe we should give the guy the benefit of the doubt.
Up 13 Down 14
William Oliver Wilder on Jan 30, 2020 at 7:11 pm
Nowhere in the article does it say that the driver chose the ditch over hitting the moose. You must be a bunch of Liberals... Feeling your way to your own truths, pitchforks in hand, and torches to light the way!
Up 17 Down 8
YukonMax on Jan 30, 2020 at 8:14 am
You don't ditch yourself to avoid hitting an animal. Period. You think that a rig pulling 48,000 liters of fuel would have been wrecked? Really?
Up 21 Down 7
Mike steward on Jan 29, 2020 at 9:45 pm
10/4 bud . You never move for an animal in a big truck . Hit it dead Center and hope it doesn’t come through the windshield. Going for the ditch can kill you easily . Better moose dead than driver.
Up 14 Down 4
Mark on Jan 29, 2020 at 6:22 pm
That’s the story and he’s sticking to it. LMAO
Up 34 Down 7
Mick on Jan 29, 2020 at 4:18 pm
No seasoned driver (big rig or passenger car/truck) picks hitting the ditch over hitting an animal. You hit the animal square on and hope for the best. The ditch is ALWAYS the worst option. Apparently this same driver hit the ditch on the Dempster a while ago.
Something ain't right with this whole story.