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OGDEN — Bystanders were quick to extinguish a small grass fire in Weber Canyon on Saturday that started when a double-tanker semitrailer carrying milk took a spill, a witness said.
Before crews arrived on scene to address the fire, quick-acting witnesses stuck in traffic used some of the spilled milk as well as extinguishers from stopped vehicles to put out the fire. When emergency crews arrived on scene, they ensured the fire was out completely.
The driver of the semitrailer, a 36-year-old Sunset man, suffered serious injuries when his truck overturned about 1:20 p.m. on I-84, according to Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Jared Cornia. He said no other vehicles were involved.
Witnesses said that the semitrailer overturned after a tire failure which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle and roll.
The truck driver was taken to McKay Dee Hospital for serious head and neck injuries.
Westbound traffic in the canyon was stopped, and it was expected to remain closed for several hours as crews clear the scene, Cornia said. Eastbound traffic up the canyon was slow but still moving, he said.
All lanes were cleared as of 9 p.m. according to the Utah Department of Transportation.
Contributing: Angie H. Treasure