A stretch of Interstate 93 in Bow, New Hampshire, was the site of a traffic incident yesterday that resulted in a significant propane leak and subsequent highway closure. According to NBC Boston, a propane truck was pushed off the road by a tractor-trailer around 1:37 p.m., as traffic slowed for other vehicles parked in the breakdown lane near Mile 33, traveling north.
The chain reaction of events began when the propane truck, slowed by traffic congestion, was rear-ended by the tractor-trailer, report state police. The driver of the tractor-trailer, identified by Boston 25 News as Utkir Rakhimov of Southington, Connecticut, collided with the 2023 Freightliner operated by Bedford resident Donald Filteau. The impact forced the propane truck off the roadway and onto its side, igniting a small brush fire and causing an undisclosed amount of propane to leak from the tanker.
Police and emergency crews, including a hazmat team, responded to the scene to manage the leak and the fire, resulting in the temporary closure of both northbound and southbound lanes of I-93 to ascertain the area was secured and to right the capsized vehicle. The leaked volume of propane, approximately 128 gallons initially being transported, remains indeterminate, NBC Boston highlighted.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the crash, and the cause remains under investigation. State police have urged witnesses or those with critical information to contact Trooper Jacob Plourde for further assistance in the inquiry. They can reach Trooper Plourde either through email at [email protected] or by phone at 603-223-4381, as mentioned in reporting by Boston 25 News.
