Driver injured in oil truck rollover in Meredith

MEREDITH — A truck carrying home heating oil rolled over on Route 104 Tuesday morning, spilling oil and injuring the driver.

A Dead River Company delivery truck rolled over along Route 104 at the intersection with Waukewan Street just after 7 a.m., spilling diesel fuel and home heating oil.

Meredith firefighters were dispatched to the scene of the reported motor vehicle accident at 7:11 a.m. with reports of an individual trapped, Chief Ken Jones said Tuesday afternoon.

Stewart’s Ambulance Service was first on the scene and paramedics confirmed the driver of the truck was trapped upon arrival. The truck’s tank ruptured, leaking some of its load of home heating oil and its own diesel around the area. That spill was contained within a 100-by-100-foot area.

Firefighters extricated the injured driver, who was able to crawl out of the truck himself despite potentially critical injuries. The driver was transported to Concord Hospital, Jones said. 

“He crawled out on his own,” he said. 

The Dead River Company has since hired a cleanup company, which Jones said was onsite Tuesday afternoon conducting cleanup services.

The truck was transporting just under 3,700 gallons of home heating fuel, and about 1,700 gallons spilled.

Law enforcement officers notified the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, which helped support the mitigation efforts by providing mats and booms. The Meredith Department of Public Works, the police department and New Hampshire State Police also assisted at the scene. Rusty’s Wrecker Service of Tilton uprighted the delivery truck.

The roads were never closed, Jones said, as the truck went off the roadway, appeared to go airborne and hit a tree before coming to rest. 

NHDES public information officer Jim Martin confirmed Tuesday morning NHDES personnel were at the scene of the wreck.

“Typically, we’re there for spill response,” Martin said. 

In the event of a potential environmental hazard, NHDES workers will generally help local first responders to assess the situation and assist with immediate actions. They’ll also work with the responsible party and coordinate enlisting the services of an environmental contractor, when necessary. 

Travis Dudley, Dead River Company general manager in Bristol, did not return a request for information Tuesday. 

Dump trucks were seen deploying loads of sand onto the spilled substance. 

State Police spokesperson Tyler Dumont confirmed troopers responded to the scene to lend assistance, but deferred to the Meredith Police Department regarding an investigation into the crash. Meredith police did not return requests for information.