Evacuation order lifted after propane truck overturns in Doylestown

DOYLESTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- An evacuation order for some residents in Doylestown, Bucks County has been lifted following a propane truck crash.

The crash happened around 9:30 a.m. Monday near the intersection of Old Iron Hill Road and Ferry Road.

Rescuers arrived to find the driver pinned inside the truck.

"It was a heavy extraction. Took a little while to get the driver out. I don't know the status of the driver," said Chalfont Fire Chief Nick Marino.

Soon after the rescue, hazmat crews quickly determined the tanker was not leaking, but there was still a lot of liquid propane inside the truck.

"He did one delivery," Marino said. "So we guesstimated anywhere between about 2,000 to 1,800 gallons."

Authorities then decided to evacuate the entire neighborhood as a precaution, including several neighbors who didn't even know what was going on.

"I was just trying to leave for lunch with my girlfriend, so now I know to not return from lunch with my girlfriend until I know I am safe," said Nathaniel Orosini, who lives nearby.

Hazmat crews had to carefully transfer the liquid propane from the overturned truck to another transport vehicle.

The evacuation order was lifted around 8:30 p.m.

Neighbors we spoke with say in cases like these "safety over speed" is the easy choice.

"I am sure they have what they need in hand to correct it, and I'm sure it'll be taken care of properly," said Francis Roth.

There was no word as to why the driver lost control.