Most Terrible Workday Ever: Semi-Truck Crashes Into Pipeline, Area Declared No-Fly Zone

      Screenshot via Fox 6 Milwaukee

      The most significant news and reviews in the automotive world, with no fluff.

      Our complimentary daily newsletter delivers the news that truly matters straight to you, every weekday.

      As professional operators, those driving semi-trucks should ideally be more skilled than the average driver. However, being paid for a job does not ensure flawless performance, and when a large truck is involved, any mistakes can lead to substantial repercussions.

      Earlier this week, an unattended semi truck rolled into an excavation site at the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline in the remote area of Saxon, Wisconsin. It struck the pipeline, leading to a release of natural gas that necessitated the evacuation of surrounding residences and the establishment of a no-fly zone, according to a local CBS News affiliate. Footage shared by Milwaukee's Fox News affiliate illustrates the situation: plumes of evaporating natural gas engulfed the site, nearly consuming tall cranes.

      Fox 6 Milwaukee

      Managed by the Canada-based company Enbridge, the pipeline transports petroleum products between Canada, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The construction work in Saxon, located in Iron County in northern Wisconsin, is part of a $1 billion initiative to relocate the pipeline away from the reservation of the Bad River Native American tribe. Enbridge informed local media that there were no injuries from the incident and that the affected pipeline section was quickly isolated. The company did not provide an explanation for how the parked truck rolled away.

      The damage seemed to be managed swiftly. On Wednesday, Wisconsin Public Radio reported that a haz-mat team and emergency response personnel were still on-site, although air quality assessments indicated no presence of hazardous gases outside the immediate breach area. The haz-mat team was testing for combustible gases, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds within a one-mile radius of the incident. However, approximately 50 residents remained without power after it was shut off as a safety measure.

      Constructed in 1953, the Line 5 pipeline extends 645 miles from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. It transports up to 23 million gallons of crude oil and liquid natural gas daily. These substances are primarily used for propane production and evaporate rapidly when released into the atmosphere, posing both health and environmental risks. While cleaner than other hydrocarbons like oil and coal, natural gas remains a significant greenhouse gas when emitted into the atmosphere in its concentrated form.

      A mechanical failure may be to blame; the potential for roll-aways is a common reason for recalls among light-duty trucks and cars. Nonetheless, this incident is not the first instance of a semi-truck driver exhibiting poor judgment. The next time you feel regret over a mistake at work, keep this story in mind.