Refuse workers unhurt after truck overturns
The accident happened just before lunchtime in a hilly housing estate on Cork’s northside. The estate is prone to ice in cold weather.
The Country Clean workers were on routine refuse collection duty in Ashmount Mews above Mayfield, when the vehicle overturned as it rounded a bend on a hill.
Country Clean spokesman Dave O’Regan, said the workers believe the truck hit a patch of black ice just before it slid sideways and toppled over, and landed on a footpath.
The three men — one from the city, one from Mallow and one from Castletownroche aged in their 20s and 30s — were in the cab when the truck flipped.
Luckily, there were no motorists or pedestrians nearby.
Tonnes of domestic waste spilled out and it is believed the vehicle’s fuel tank or fuel lines ruptured, spewing gallons of diesel on to the road.
The emergency services were alerted and three units of Cork City Fire Brigade, including its hazardous materials unit, an ambulance and gardaí rushed to the scene.
The three workers were shaken but unhurt. They were taken to Cork University Hospital for assessment before being released a short time later.
The ‘haz-mat’ unit monitored the diesel spill to prevent it from entering drains.
Mr O’Regan said the company was relieved nobody was hurt. “That was our first concern and, thank God, nobody was hurt. This is the first time we’ve had an incident like this,” he said.
The accident triggered the company’s emergency response plan. Flor Crowley, its environment officer, was dispatched to the scene with a special spill-kit to oversee the clean-up of the rubbish and fuel.
Arrangements were made for the rubbish to be removed and a crane was brought in to remove the truck.
