Mission to remove hazardous chemicals

The last of the drums of resin and ferric chloride may be cleared from the Mangorewa Gorge today. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

Firefighters resumed work at first light today removing the final 25 of a total of 84, 200 litre drums of resin and ferric chloride that fell into the Mangorewa Gorge.

The drums came off a truck and trailer unit that crashed on State Highway 36 on Monday afternoon.

A 63-year-old Rotorua man was killed in the crash.

Rotorua Police Senior constable Regan Framp says they are hoping to re-open the highway today, but that cannot be confirmed yet. The highway has been closed since the crash on Monday.

The drums have to be lifted out of the steep terrain by a crane, which is set up on the highway, blocking both lanes, says NZ Fire Service Great Lakes assistant area commander Colin Russell.

'It's been very difficult for us to get communication out, we're working in an area with no cell phone coverage and very poor radio communication. So we have been struggling to keep people updated.”

The truck and trailer was removed on Tuesday, Anzac Day, leaving the fire service with the task of removing the drums which have spilled off the truck deck, and down quite a steep gully beside the road.

'We have been dealing with two separate chemicals, both of them quite hazardous to human health and to the environment,” says Colin.

'It's been all about safety for our guys. There's been one tragedy out of this incident already so we are trying to not make it any more issues about that. So it's all about safety for my guys - as well as the other contractors working around in a very tricky situation.”

Removing the drums involves firefighters climbing around a steep bush clad slope, wearing fire-fighting kit and using breathing apparatus.

'That's what's taken the time, working from safe areas in difficult terrain around this resin. It's flammable so we have had to work in breathing apparatus and firefighting kit, and minimise any ignition risks,” says Colin.

'So it's been a mission, and the mission isn't completed yet.”

When they stopped work at dusk on Wednesday, they had recovered 59 of the drums.

'From seeing them coming out, I would expect about a third of them have some sort of damage and leaked, so we have taken precautions and follow the advice on dealing with those.

'One of the chemicals is a resin, quite a thick viscous fluid which is actually working in our favour because it sort of oozes more than runs out of the drum. So that means we have been able to contain the majority of it in the drums by getting the splits (in the drums) upright. That's been a bonus.

'There's no life at risk and we are reasonably confident there's an absolute minimal amount going into the environment. We've been working with Environment BOP (Bay of Plenty Regional Council) very closely and they have had representatives with us all day.”

The crane was back onsite at first light today

'We have to do it drum by drum,” says Colin. 'It's one of the more tricky jobs we have dealt with.

'I realise it's putting people out a little, but it has got to be that way for our safety.”

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6 comments

well done

Posted on 27-04-2017 14:39 | By old trucker

Too everybody that has had to deal with this ( WELL DONE) you are all heros, dealing with the aftermath of this TRAGEDY hope you are now all safe, my thanks from The Old Trucker,Thankyou Sunlive for keeping us upto date on this WELL DONE, Thankyou 10-4 out.


NZTA, Communications PLEASE!

Posted on 27-04-2017 15:59 | By Murray.Guy

It's been very difficult for us to get communication out, we're working in an area with no cell phone coverage and very poor radio communication. So we have been struggling to keep people updated. This NZTA Highway is notorious for it's accidents / incidents and for an organisation (NZTA) to not recognise this and ensure 'cell coverage' for the peace of mind and safety of all users is unacceptable. In 2017 the provision of safe highways is NOT just confined to mitigating risk resulting IN an accident, but also enhancing outcomes following such an event. Cell phone coverage please.


Thanks

Posted on 27-04-2017 16:59 | By ososomoso

I note this is the area of a Brand new Shinny slippery road surface, why wasn't this done with gravel ? the area is prone to black ice, etc... Second of all well done clean up Crew :) I look forward to my normal commute again soon.


Why

Posted on 27-04-2017 17:22 | By overit

are trucks carrying hazardous waste allowed to travel that road? Its too dangerous.


Murray

Posted on 28-04-2017 02:16 | By NZer

Cell phone coverage is supplied by cell phone companies not the NZTA...


Slippery?

Posted on 28-04-2017 13:39 | By clingon

You have an interesting theory osmosis but from what I believe shinny new hot mix has better adhesion properties than regular coarse chip tar seal, that's why our better roads use it. Can you imagine the CARnage if it was surfaced in gravel? Lots of vehicles down the bank-they have done a good job of smoothing out the surface but have stopped a few meters short of fixing the ski jump in the road that has been there for years. Surely the road can't be blamed for this tragedy....


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