Major propane leak when car hits valve; Route 209 shut down for hours

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Firefighters had to spray the leaking propane so it would safely dissipate (photo; Sheriff;s Office)

KERHONKSON – Ulster County Sheriff’s deputies investigated a one-car crash on Route 209 in the vicinity of the Dollar General store in Kerhonkson at around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday in which a vehicle struck a utility pole, a fence, and a valve to an underground propane tank that caused a significant propane leak.

The service company that owns the tank, Amerigas, was unable to stop the leak, so Route 209 was shut down and traffic was detoured to Clay Hill Road and Sampsonville Road until midnight.  Nearby residents were evacuated, according to the Accord Fire Chief.

Kerhonkson and Accord fire departments responded and used a nearby hydrant to spray the leak until the propane tank had bled off all its gas.

The driver of the vehicle, a 47-year-old woman from Staten Island, was uninjured.

Assisting at the scene were the State Transportation Department, state troopers, and Ulster County Department of Emergency Management.

The accident remains under investigation and the authorities remained at the scene until the could be removed safely.  An Amerigas technician stayed with fire officials for the entire time.




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