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A milk truck driver is recovering after a significant crash in Claverack on Monday (July 14). The accident occurred at the intersection of state Route 217 and Gahbauer Road, causing the truck to overturn and spill gallons of milk onto the road. Columbia County Sheriff Donald Krapf reported that the driver was taken to Albany Medical Center for evaluation.
The crash led to a substantial spill, prompting a response from multiple agencies, including the Columbia County hazardous materials team and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, according to the Times Union.
The incident temporarily closed all lanes in the area, which have since reopened. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office, assisted by New York State Police, the Mellenville and Ghent Fire Companies, and other local agencies, managed the cleanup and traffic control efforts, as reported by News10.
Milk trucks typically carry about 8,000 gallons of milk, transporting raw milk from dairy farms to processing facilities. The extent of the spill and the environmental impact are still being assessed by the involved agencies.