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Ministry of Environment on scene of diesel spill near Elkford

Officials confirm a semi truck carrying 50,000 litres of diesel crashed into a ditch.
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Crews from the Ministry of Environment are on scene of a semi truck carrying about 50,000 litres of diesel has crashed into a ditch in the East Kootenays.

The incident happened Friday afternoon about 10 kilometres south of Elkford

Officials say it's been determined that the volume of the spill is substantially less than initially anticipated.

The estimated volume spilled to the ditch is 5,000 to 6,000 litres of diesel fuel.

The diesel appears to be contained in the ditch due to snowpack and emergency containment measures undertaken at the site, the ministry said in a press release.

Specialized equipment is enroute to pump out the remaining product in the truck as well as the product in the ditch.

So far, it appears no waterways have been affected, the ministry confirmed.

First Nations in the area and the local government have been notified.

Mainroad East Kootenay is reporting that Highway 43 has been reduced to a single lane of alternating traffic between Line Creek and Elkford as crews continue to address the vehicle incident.

This work is expected to continue until approximately 8 p.m. tonight.