Apr. 16, 6:20pm - Diesel pours from the Malahat Highway, flooding into Goldstream river.
At 9:00, I'm in the middle of a party, and I hear through Facebook - "We were in the recent aftermath of an incident on the Malahat. A gas tanker overturned (so we were told). We went down to the Goldstream river and witnessed what we feared – the river, bank to bank, flowing with fuel. The air was thick with the fumes. [My partner and I] helplessly stood there and watched a bird land further downstream. We both have a headache and can taste gaoline on our tongues. I'm so angry and I feel completely powerless."
Catherine and Matt are on their way into town when they're diverted at Finlayson Arm along Highway 1 and stop during their drive to survey Goldstream river, engorged with fuel - "The river was thick with it, the stench of the air was just incredible. During about the 7 or 10 minutes that we stood near the river the quantity of fuel was just incredible." says Matt.
At 9:30, BC Highway News reports that the Malahat is "Closed in both directions at Goldstream Provincial Park because of Collision." A quick search on twitter seems to indicate that no-one is aware of the leak as of 10:20pm, and CFAX says there are reports of fuel leaking into the river.
The highway is infamous for accidents, mainly due to weather and disjointed design, characterized by sharp turns and blind corners. In an '00 to '04 study, the yearly accident average was 56, with 5 fatal and 265 total incidents, with the section in question (Finlayson Arm) showing the highest numbers. A '99 to aught-eight coroner's report cites 7 deaths in the Malahat area. Despite maintenance and several attempts at improvement, this section of highway remains one of the most dangerous in BC.
At 11:10, a Times Colonist reports Lanford Fire Dept. assistant chief Goeff Spriggs saying a "significant" amount of fuel has leaked into the river. A Twitter search gathers posts from CFAX, The Q, the TC, and various people, mostly in regards to the traffic interruption, but the leak is confirmed.
And so the story breaks. By now, we're all familiar with the news – but for Catherine and Matt this evening is and always will be raw, a vivid memory hidden within the bare facts.
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