Diesel Spill Closes Highways At Scottsbluff -UPDATE: Roads Reopened By 2:30

      Highways in the Scottsbluff area were closed this morning after a diesel tanker overturned on Hwy 26 just east of the Western Sugar Cooperative factory about 7:30.

      Nebraska State Patrol Captain Kurt Von Minden told KNEB New the truck was exiting the overpass exit ramp when the driver failed to negotiate the turn and the semi rolled onto its left side. 

       The driver was trapped inside the cab and firefighters had to extricate him. He was taken to Regional West Medical with undisclosed injuries.

       Nebraska Dept of Transportation District 5 Operations and Maintenance Manager John Lutz said hundreds of gallons of diesel leaked from the tanker onto the north shoulder of the road, requiring a hazardous materials response. 

       Lutz said Hwy 26 was closed to eastbound traffic at Highland Road and to westbound traffic at its junction with Beltline Road. Hwy 71 northbound was closed at U Street in Gering. 

     Captain Kurt Von Minden said such a spill usually takes all day to properly clean up before a roadway can reopen.