A workover rig that had tipped on it’s side just after 3p.m. on Highway 6, has blocked traffic for hours while crews attempt to move the 180,000 pound derrick from the rig.
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North and southbound traffic has been stopped while crews attempt to move the rig from the scene of this afternoon’s accident. Emergency crews were not certain exactly how the workover rig came to be on it’s side, but Price Fire Chief Paul Bedont speculated the southbound rig had stopped just before the Peerless port of entry to pull off the side of the road, when the road caved under the weight.
“You can see where the road gave way under the rig’s rear tires. Right now crews are attempting to seperate the derrick from the rig, so the rig can be lifted onto the tow truck, and the derrick can be transported by the crane,” Bedont said.
Workover rigs, which are a truck-mounted mast with winches, cables and sheaves capable of pulling tubing, as well as performing other functions, are known to weigh up to 180,000 pounds. В The severe weight had already snapped high industrial cable connected to the tow truck, and more serious measures were being taken to move the equipment.
“I have never seen those cables just snap like that,” Bedont said.
No injuries were reported and Highway 6 was open for travel as of 10p.m. Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, Utah Highway Patrol, Carbon County HAZMAT, Helper Police, В Price City Fire, Rush Truck Centers, Landon’s Diesel Service and Nielson Construction were all present on the scene.
Stay tuned for more information from the scene as it is released.
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