A tanker truck remains rolled onto its side along Hwy. 19A at the exit 46 on-ramp to Hwy. 19 following an accident late Thursday afternoon. (submitted photo/Kristen Dawn)
road closed

Highway exits into Parksville closed after tanker carrying chemicals rolls

Nov 25, 2022 | 9:21 AM

PARKSVILLE — Access from the Inland Island Hwy. to the south end of Parksville remains closed off Friday morning, following a vehicle incident.

On Thursday, Nov. 24 at about 4 p.m. a semi truck carrying hydrogen peroxide rolled along Hwy. 19A, near the offramp at exit 46.

Sgt. Shane Worth with Oceanside RCMP said the vehicle tipped onto its side while trying to return to the Inland Island Hwy (Hwy 19) and head north.

“The semi truck had just left the scales area…off of Kaye Rd. and was proceeding on Hwy. 19A underneath the overpass for Hwy. 19 and was making a left hand turn to continue to turn back onto the highway to go northbound.”

The driver was able to get out and was uninjured in the accident. Impairment is not a factor and the driver is cooperating with authorities, Worth said.

A small fire was quickly dealt with by Parksville Fire Department crews, along with five additional departments helping on scene.

A small fire was doused by Parksville fire crews after a tanker rolled around 4 p.m. on Thursday. (submitted photo/Kristen Dawn)

The roadway underneath the Hwy. 19 overpass, along with exits from the highway into Parksville remain closed with no timeline for re-opening.

“At this stage it’s a recovery to determine what the extent of the damage of the semi truck and tanker is and for the environmental crews to determine how they can upright it safely throughout the day,” Worth said.

People entering or leaving Parksville are still able to do so through exit 51, which connects Hwy. 19 with Hwy. 4A, or further north through Qualicum Beach.

Traffic can also use NW Bay Rd. through Nanoose Bay.

Worth asked drivers for their patience with the additional traffic volumes at either of those sites.

There is little environmental concern from the site, as hydrogen peroxide quick decomposes into water and oxygen.

It is flammable under high temperatures but is not considered overly dangerous.

Fire crews remain with the scene ensuring any spills are contained in a holding pond which was set up.

Parksville Fire Department crews and other first responders attend to a scene near exit 46 on Hwy. 19, wth a tanker rolling just past the overpass. (submitted photo/Kristen Dawn)

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