Date:
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Contact:
Mike Murphy, WSDOT Communications, Index 206.371.2152
Jamie Holter, WSDOT Communications, Seattle 206.714.1636
INDEX - At 10:30 last night, a semi-truck loaded with apples left the road at milepost 39, between Index and Baring roughly 25 miles of the Stevens Pass summit. The vehicle went up and over the concrete barrier and dropped 150 feet down a steep embankment and came to rest in the Skykomish River.
Rescue teams were called to the scene. They included heavy equipment to pull the semi-truck up, the medical examiner, fire, aid, WSP, a class C tow and the Department of Ecology. Guardrail had to be removed to access the scene.
WSDOT immediately closed the road in both directions at Baring and at Index. WSDOT crews set each closure and worked with the Washington State Patrol to keep drivers informed. Westbound pass drivers were diverted to SR 97 to I-90. Eastbound drivers were alerted and diverted at SR 203.
At 6:45 a.m., crews pulled the cab onto the road.
Next the class C tow truck and low-boys will move into place to pull the trailer up the steep embankment. This may take several hours as it is a very difficult job. The road may be closed for several hours and into Tuesday afternoon.
Drivers should continue to use I-90 or SR 20, the North Cascades Highway, to get across the Cascades. Drivers who need local access are being allowed in. We recommend that drivers stay updated by watching TV news, listening to radio reports, checking the WSDOT traffic page, check the overhead freeway signs or call 511.
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