By WBFO News
Bowmansville, NY – About 700 Bowmansville-area residents were evacuated early Friday morning after a tractor-trailer crashed into a high-pressure natural gas line.
Shortly before 3 a.m., a westbound truck on the Thruway veered into the eastbound side, then off the road and crashed through a guard rail down an embankment near Harris Hill Road. The truck slammed into the National Fuel gas line. There was a plume of gas but the line did not ignite.
The town's reverse 911 program, emergency alert system was activated and between 600 to 700 nearby residents were instructed to leave their homes. About 400 people showed up at the Bowmansville fire hall, which was designated as an emergency shelter.
Residents were allowed to go home at about 6 a.m. after the gas rupture was contained.
The truck driver was taken to Erie County Medical Center. His condition is unknown, however, but his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. No one on either the Thruway or in the neighborhood was injured.