The driver of a tractor trailer has died after the vehicle rolled down an embankment on Highway 19 near Campbell River on Monday.
The 33-year-old man, from Nanaimo, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers from the RCMP – North Vancouver Island Traffic Services say at 7:09 a.m. they were called to the crash just south of the Hamm Road intersection at Black Creek.
The tractor trailer was travelling northbound with 50,000 litres of bio diesel, when it struck a large sign post and rolled into the ditch. RCMP say the majority of the oil was spilled into the ditch.
The Oyster River Fire Department handled the initial containment of the fuel but the scene is now being handled by the Ministry of Environment. The ministry said in a statement to Global News that Quantum Murray will be dealing with the remaining fuel in the truck and site clean-up.
The responsible party, through Quantum Murray, will get a consultant to assess soil impacts and EcoFish Research will do an environmental impact assessment, according the ministry. They will also be hiring a hydrologist to determine any impact to ground water and surrounding watersheds.
The ministry said it will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with the responsible party, Quantum Murray and other environmental consultants to ensure any health and environment impacts are addressed.
The incident is still under investigation and the extent of the damage is not known at this time.