According to Woodstock interim Police Chief Chris O’Keeffe, at approximately 12:17 p.m. on Wednesday, a South Shore Gunite Swimming Pools truck drifted too far, hit the brakes, and overturned into an embankment next to the Ottauquechee River along Old River Road in Woodstock. The incident took place about a half-mile from Billings Farm along Old River Road, heading toward Pomfret.
At the scene, diesel could be seen in the river as O’Keeffe added, “The tank isn’t ruptured; it’s actually the fuel that was already in the engine system. State hazmat is here and assessing the damage. Sable and Sons is handling the recovery [and] pulling the remaining diesel out of the tank. Vermont DMV is here to inspect the overturned truck, as well as the Woodstock Ambulance, Woodstock Fire Department, and the Woodstock Police Department.”
O’Keeffe told the Standard the driver and passenger in the vehicle were unharmed and were able to climb out of the truck safely. The truck will be assessed for damage and the remaining diesel will be siphoned out. O’Keeffe is hopeful the spill will be out of the main river water system soon.
Above, Green Mountain Power was on the scene in Woodstock around 3 p.m. on Wednesday to address damage to an electric pole in the area following the incident. Rick Russell Photo
