Tractor Trailer Carrying Liquid Natural Gas Overturns on Rt. 50

BERLIN, Md. – Multiple agencies responded to an overturned tractor trailer on Route 50 on Monday morning.

Around 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 26, the Berlin Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a motor vehicle accident involving a tractor trailer on the 10300 block of Ocean Gateway (U.S. Route 50). Initial reports indicated that the tractor trailer may have been carrying hazardous materials. Fire and rescue units from Showell Volunteer Fire Company were dispatched to assist. The Worcester County Hazardous Materials Team was also requested due to the nature of the incident.

First-arriving fire units found a tractor trailer on its side in a ditch, with diesel fuel leaking from the vehicle’s saddle tanks. The driver had self-extricated and was being evaluated and treated by Berlin EMS. No serious injuries were reported.

Further investigation determined the trailer was transporting approximately 9,700 gallons of refrigerated liquid natural gas. Hazardous Materials personnel began continuous monitoring for leaks and conducted a pump-off operation of leaking diesel fuel from the tractor’s saddle tanks. Due to the cargo involved, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Emergency Response Division (ERD) was notified and responded to the scene.

After consultation with MDE ERD, the trucking company, the natural gas carrier, and subject matter experts on scene, officials determined the safest course of action was to upright the tractor trailer and remove it from the ditch. Through extensive coordination between all parties involved, the tractor trailer was successfully removed and towed to a secure storage facility where its contents will be offloaded at a later time.

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office reports that the entire operation lasted over 12 hours, with responders working under cold and challenging conditions. Westbound Ocean Gateway in the immediate area remained closed for the duration of the incident.