A tanker carrying liquid nitrogen crashed into a house in East Williamson yesterday evening, damaging the house and injuring the driver.

The Williamson Fire Department was notified by Mingo Emergency Communications Authority (MECA) of a possible crash near Teeter Street and East Fourth Avenue around 5:04 p.m.

Upon arrival, the 12 firemen found the tank truck had veered off the roadway and crashed into property owned by Linda Harlow of 303 Teeter Street, Fire Chief Jerry Mounts reported.

Firefighters and Stat Ambulance Authority personnel immobilized the driver, whom the fire department did not name per HIppa laws, until he could be safely extricated from the cab that was “totally demolished,” Mounts said, adding, “He appeared to suffer serious head injuries.”

The truck was traveling west on U.S. 52 it apparently left the roadway near Peter Street and entered the alley parallel to Norfolk Southern Railway and Fourth Avenue. It then traveled approximately 1,500 feet and struck a parked vehicle at the Harlow residence before proceeding through the yard, taking out the air conditioning unit and coming to a stop against the hillside behind Harlow”s home, Mounts said.

Suffering extensive damage, the Harlow home had several broken windows, a demolished carport and HVAC system.

Firefighters released the pressure on the truck tank, which was about three-fourths empty, to eliminate a possible rupture, Mounts said.

“Although liquid nitrogen is non flammable it can explode if heated, and ruptured tanks can present a projectile hazard. There was never any real threat of any fire, explosion, or any disastrous event, so there was no need to evacuate any nearby residences,” Mounts said. “However, this was a very serious emergency which fortunately resulted in only property loss, with the exception of the driver whom we hope will recuperate from his injuries.

“We see these liquid nitrogen tank trucks going through our community quite regularly as they are used in the natural gas well drill process.”

Chemtrec was notified as a precaution and the owner of the trucking company provided safe instructions with regards to properly releasing the pressure from the tank.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 8 p.m. clearing the scene.