Diesel gets ditched outside Forreston

Barry Byers Posted July 1, 2009 6:45pm Local news

Image: Keith Helms takes control at the scene of the twisted 18-wheeler — Keith Helms of Helms Garage from Italy secures the scene of the stranded 18-wheeler by diverting traffic and directing the equipment it would take to resolve the situation. — Keith Helms takes control at the scene of the twisted 18-wheeler — Keith Helms of Helms Garage from Italy secures the scene of the stranded 18-wheeler by diverting traffic and directing the equipment it would take to resolve the situation. (Barry Byers)

Heading North down Hwy. 77 for a road repair project between Waxahachie and Forreston, a TXI Transportation Company’s 18-wheeler was trying to turn left onto W. Pecan Tree Road when the back wheels of the 50,000 lb. trailer, loaded with a powdered cement mix, slipped off the edge of the roadway.

The resulting slip twisted the big rig to a halt, as the trailer landed on its side at the bottom of a ditch, just after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

In fact, the weight of the trailer twisted the entire rig including the frame of the truck cab. Luckily, the driver was not injured, just disgruntled. However, the drivers’ side gas tank was leaking after striking the roadway but it was contained by emergency response crews from Forreston and Italy.

Keith Helms of Helms Garage in Italy was in control of the scene from the beginning and did a masterful job of coordinating the sequence of rescue steps it would take to solve TXI’s delimma.

A vacuum truck was brought in first and removed the powdered cement mix from the sideways trailer and then eventually pumped it into a second 18-wheeler to transport the mix to its intended job site.

After the mix was completely removed from the trailer, tow teams from Helms Garage and Pechal’s Garage simultaneously lifted the trailer from its predicament without causing any further damage to the trailer itself.

The incident was cleared and both lanes on Hwy. 77 were open by 10:00 p.m.

Oops! — That’s a truckload filled with a powdered cement mix that now has a major problem that occured as it was on it’s way to help make minor repairs to a road between Waxahachie and Forreston. (Barry Byers)

Emergency response — The Forreston Fire Department was on scene early along with DPS troopers to help slow traffic and make sure the 18-wheeler’s leaking gas tank was contained. (Barry Byers)

STOP! — Even an ironic stop sign couldn’t keep this 50,000 lb. load of a powdered cement mix from sliding in the ditch. (Barry Byers)

Twisted frame — There’s something you don’t see everyday. (Barry Byers)

Unique view — If you’ve ever wondered what the underside of a truck cab looks like, now you know. (Barry Byers)

Rain shade — Jesus Martinez takes cover from the rain under a separate 18-wheeler that was brought into haul away the cement mix. (Barry Byers)

Vacuum job — Crews vacuum the powdered cement mix from the stranded 18-wheeler and later pump it into a second 18-wheeler that hauled the mix to its intended destination. (Barry Byers)

Salvaging the load — The vacuum truck temporarily held the concrete mix before pumping it into a separate 18-wheeler for transport. (Barry Byers)

Containing the leak — Jesus Martinez takes a risk to ensure the gas leak stays contained. (Barry Byers)

One more bag — Haz Mat was on scene to make sure the gas leak and concrete powdered mix were handled properly. (Barry Byers)

Going in… — A volunteer climbs inside the sideways trailer to finish the removal of the cement mix. (Barry Byers)

Inside the tank — Crews worked for two hours trying to empty the trailer of its cargo before tow trucks could lift it from the ditch. (Barry Byers)

That’s not smoke — A powdered cement mix fogged the banks of the scene and made it difficult for traffic to pass safely. (Barry Byers)

Dirty job — This tank cleaner needs a break from such an arduous task. (Barry Byers)

Mangled truck cab — The driver was not hurt in this ordeal but his rig was badly damaged. (Barry Byers)

I’ve had enough — In sports, this is what is known as a gutsy performance. (Barry Byers)

Risk taker — Jesus Martinez is at it again. This time, he lays across the side of the fallen trailer to hook the straps that will lift the trailer from the ditch. (Barry Byers)

Hooking the chains — Keith Helms hooks the chains around the trailer just moments before hoisting it from the ditch. (Barry Byers)

Raising the crane — Keith Helms prepares his tow truck for the raising of the trailer. (Barry Byers)

Helms Garage and Pechal’s Garage simultaneously lifted the trailer from its predicament using their crane-like tow trucks. (Barry Byers)

Uprighted — All is well as the tow teams were able to keep the trailer from sustaining any more damage while being lifted back onto the roadway. (Barry Byers)

Job well done — Keith and Margaret Helms of Helms Garage, along with Pechal’s Garage, made a difficult task look easy. In just a few minutes, the trailer was finally lifted after being on its side for four hours. Traffic flow on Hwy. 77 was running smoothly by 10:00 p.m. (Barry Byers)