Massachusetts

Route 2 Reopens After Truck Carrying Methane Rolls Over, Killing Driver

Authorities have had the Route 2 in Orange closed between exits 13 and 15 in both directions since the rollover

A truck carrying methane rolled over in Orange, Massachusetts, Friday night, killing the driver and causing authorities to evacuate homes in the area as crews worked to clear the mess.

The methane gas started leaking, causing an enormous response from officials to get the dangerous situation under control.

Route 2 was closed between exits 13 and 15 throughout Friday night and didn't reopen until just before 2 p.m. Saturday as crews worked to offload the remaining gas in the tanker truck, Massachusetts State Police said.

The ramp at exit 14 on Route 2 westbound will be closed until Sunday for repairs and cleanup, state police said Saturday.

The crash happened on Route 2 around 9:30 p.m. Friday when the tanker truck rolled over and down an embankment while exiting Route 2 at exit 14.

The Orange Fire Department issued a tier 2 Hazmat response, evacuating many homes in the area and creating a half-mile radius safe zone, state police said. Residents forced to evacuate were taken to the Orange Armory Friday night. They were all evaluated by EMS.

Greg Zupan lives in the area. He says he wasn't evacuated, but he knew something was wrong almost immediately.

"I was kinda concerned," he said. "I was concerned that the stirens took a little bit. And I knew the fire and police would be responding to whatever happened."

Officials have since determined the scene to be safe.

The truck driver died in the crash, state police said Saturday. The driver's identity will be released once authorities are able to speak to the driver's family.

No other injuries have been reported.

The crash remains under investigation.

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