Runaway logging truck blocks Hwy. 28

Early Tuesday morning a logging truck slid off of the road, dumped its load of logs, and blocked the south-bound lane of highway 28 for most of the morning.

According to Hot Springs E.M.T.  Sheila Massingale, the single-car accident occurred at approximately seven a.m. near mile marker 17 just West of highway 382, and South of Hot Springs.

The accident was caused by an undetermined mechanical failure when the truck, which was headed out of Moser Gulch, lost control of its trailer and was subsequently pulled into the ditch.

The Montana State Patrol directed traffic as representatives from the driver’s logging company arrived on scene with a self-loading truck and trailer, and collected the logs from the road and ditch before the highway could safely be re-opened.

Although his name was not released, the driver, who hails from Thompson Falls, was reportedly examined by a Hot Springs ambulance and was found to be un-injured.

Per protocol, local police, Montana State Patrol, as well as ambulance and fire department resources were all dispatched to the scene.