VIDEO: Firefighters Wash Diesel Off 2 Ducks After Fuel Tanker Rollover On C-470 Ramp
UPDATE: Ducks Covered In Fuel Remain In Critical Condition In Douglas County
(CBS4) - Crews in the southern part of the Denver metro area tasked with cleaning up after a highway fuel spill on Friday found two ducks in a nearby stream that were covered with diesel. A tanker truck had rolled over in snowy morning conditions on the westbound C-470 offramp to Santa Fe Drive and the fuel it was carrying spilled out. The fuel leak continued for an extended period before it could be stopped.
The ducks had to be washed off with soap and water. Firefighters were assisted by troopers from the Colorado State Patrol in that effort, and wildlife officers were called in to help out as well.
In a video shared by South Metro Fire on Twitter, the ducks appear to be taking all the emergency attention without too much complaint.
Update: Environmental clean up personnel located 2 ducks downstream that were covered in diesel fuel. Firefighters and @CSP_News Troopers washed them using soap and water. Wildlife officials are being called to assist. pic.twitter.com/7IAEja24vX
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) December 10, 2021
After their cleaning, firefighters placed the ducks in animal carriers.
No humans were hurt in the rollover crash. A closure of the offramp afterwards lasted through the morning and into Friday afternoon.