Methane tanker rolls on highway

ANCHORAGE - A semi pulling a tanker trailer containing liquefied methane rolled on the Parks Highway, closing the main road link between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

A spokeswoman for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough said the incident was reported just before 9 a.m. Monday at Mile 179, just north of Hurricane Gulch and about 80 miles north of Talkeetna.

The driver reported minor injuries but was able to leave the cab.

Borough emergency services director Dennis Brodigan said the first goal of responders was to get the driver out safely and to isolate the area.

The highway was closed for a mile in both directions.

The tanker was leaking diesel but there was no indication that the methane tanks were damaged or punctured.