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Tanker Truck Carrying Liquid Nitrogen Topples Over In San Jose

SAN JOSE (CBS / BCN) -- An 18-wheel tanker truck carrying liquid nitrogen toppled over, significantly injuring the driver and blocking all four lanes of traffic on state Highway 237 in San Jose on Saturday night.

Firefighters responded to the tanker truck crash on eastbound Highway 237 near First Street about 7:20 p.m., San Jose fire spokesman Chuck Rangel said.

Arriving crews found the overturned tanker, which had spilled about 50 gallons of diesel fuel onto the road. No liquid nitrogen had spilled, Rangel said.

The driver, a man whose identity wasn't disclosed, was initially trapped in the truck. Officials were able to get him out and transport him to a local hospital.

Rangel said he did not know the severity of the man's injuries, but he was conscious and talking at the time he was moved to the hospital.

A Sig-alert was issued about 7:30 p.m. for the highway and traffic in either direction was backed up for about a mile, the California Highway Patrol said.

The road was finally cleared after midnight.

No other injuries were reported and no other vehicles were damaged in the accident.

(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)

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