Overturned tanker prompts closure of WB 210 Fwy in Sylmar

SYLMAR, Calif. (FOX 11/CNS) - All lanes of the westbound Foothill (210) Freeway at Yarnell Street in Sylmar were closed Tuesday morning, more than seven hours after a tanker truck overturned and spilled hot tar across the freeway.

Firefighters were called about 11:40 p.m. Monday to the westbound Foothill Freeway east of the Golden State (5) Freeway and located the overturned truck with the driver still inside, but not trapped, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Firefighters were able to assist the man out of the cab and he was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Humphrey said.

The crash caused a leak in the tanker, sending tar oozing onto the freeway.

"It started at 160 degrees, as it's cooling, it's getting harder,'' California Highway Patrol Sgt. Kenneth Wallace said. That's why they're (Caltrans crews) having to use steam to try to get it off the roadway. It's a sticky mess, it's like glue.''

Some of the tar spread to the vicinity of Foothill Boulevard and Filbert Street, Humphrey said.

The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert for all lanes of the westbound Foothill Freeway, west of Yarnell Street. Traffic was being taken off the freeway at Yarnell Street. It's unclear when lanes would reopen.

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