Tanker spills approximately 200 gallons of ethanol in parking lot of Ayerco Rocket Truck Stop

HANNIBAL, Mo. — An ethanol tanker spilled approximately 200 gallons of ethanol in the parking lot of the Ayerco Rocket Truck Stop at the intersection of U.S. Route 24 and U.S. Route 36 on Wednesday afternoon.

The tanker had a mechanical issue with its road tractor at approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday and pulled into the Ayerco. The driver intended to uncouple the tractor with the problem, then couple to another tractor and go on. 

“(The driver) dollied that one down, pulled out from underneath (the tanker), and the legs that support it didn’t hold it,” Palmyra Fire Chief Gary Crane said. “It dropped to the ground to the concrete parking lot and ruptured the tank.”

Only one of the three tanks the tanker was carrying was damaged.

Crane said the Marion County Highway Department brought us two loads of sand to create a dike to stop the ethanol that was spraying out from leaving the area. Roberts Towing brought in absorbent booms and clay absorbent to help dry the scene, and another truck with a pump was brought in to offload the ethanol remaining in the undamaged tanks. The Hannibal Fire Department provided assistance with its hazardous materials team.

A crane wrecker was used to tow the damaged trailer away. 

Crane said crews from his department were on the scene for 2½ hours. 

“Nobody was hurt. It was all good,” he said. “We was able to keep it from leaving the concrete surface area. It was all contained with sand and absorbed, and it finished being swept up.”