CFA crews worked throughout the day yesterday (14 May) to remove an estimated 38 tonnes of molasses from the Calder Highway following a truck rollover.
Photos courtesy Wedderburn Fire Brigade
Firefighters were called just after 9.30am on Tuesday to a truck accident between Monument Drive and Inglewood Korong Vale Road Glenalbyn, with a possible person trapped.
Wedderburn Fire Brigade arrived on scene to find the truck on its side and its contents - three tanks of molasses - spreading across the road.
The truck’s fuel tank was also ruptured as a result of the accident causing about 100 litres of diesel to combine with the molasses and flow into table drains on the roadside.
EPA, VicRoads and Victoria Police were called to the scene, and the highway was closed in both directions. The table drains were also blocked so the spill could be contained.
With the truck righted just after 11am, crews from both Wedderburn and Korong Vale brigades could begin the huge task of cleaning up the spill.
About five tankers of water was needed to wash away the spill.
Victoria Police, SES and Loddon Shire also supported the clean-up which continued throughout the day.
The truck driver was taken to hospital via ambulance after being assessed by paramedics.
The Calder Highway reopened at about 6pm. VicRoads and EPA will resume clean-up of the table drains today.
Author: Shaunnagh O'Loughlin