Part of Route 24 closed after deadly fuel tanker rollover in Fall River

FALL RIVER, MASS. (WHDH) - Route 24 in Fall River was shut down in both directions for several hours Thursday after a 12,000-gallon gas tanker crashed, killing the driver and injuring the operator of a second car, authorities said.

Troopers responding to the area of Exit 8 around 5:10 a.m. shut down the highway after finding the tanker leaking fuel all over the highway.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the tanker rolled over for an unknown reason and struck another vehicle.

The 67-year-old driver of the tractor-trailer, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.

The southbound side of the highway has since been reopened. Just one lane on the northbound side is opened.

The operator of the second car, a 32-year-old man, was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where he is in stable condition, Fall River Fire Chief John D. Lynch said.

“Fortunately, that person survived and when we cut them out of the car, we were very surprised with his condition,” he said.

Traffic on Route 24 was detoured at Exit 8A northbound and southbound as the Fall River Fire Department and the Department of Transportation work to contain the tanker’s gas spill with foam and sand.

“The gas leak is very flammable and very dangerous, which is why we laid down foam,” Lynch added.

Traffic was backed up for many miles at the height of the morning commute.

A hazmat team was called to the scene to offload the remaining gasoline.

This is a developing story; stay with 7News on air and online for the latest updates.

(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)