Montana 83 reopened after propane leak

A portion of Montana 83 was closed near Bear Creek southeast of Bigfork for more than seven hours Wednesday after a two-vehicle crash toppled a propane truck and caused it to leak.

According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Rick Mehring, the driver of a northbound passenger car was driving too fast for slick road conditions and veered into the southbound lane, striking the rear of the oncoming propane truck, which went into a spin and rolled.

The crash occurred around 2:30 p.m.; traffic in both directions was blocked until just before 10 p.m. when the highway reopened. 

The crash scene was 7 miles southeast of the junction of Montana 35 and Montana 83. For a time before the highway reopened, Montana 83 traffic was being detoured through Marken Loop.

According to Flathead County Office of Emergency Services Planner Nikki Stephan, her office, Ferndale Fire Department, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and the Montana Highway Patrol were working to make sure the leaking truck was properly handled.

The 19-year-old woman driving the passenger car suffered minor injuries. She was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center via personal vehicle.

The driver of the propane truck was OK and was able to perform shut-off operations to minimize leakage, Stephan said.

The Swan Highway was closed to traffic in both directions because officials worried a spark, while unlikely, could result in a fire or explosion, according to Stephan.

Fire crews monitored air quality to make sure residents of nearby homes were not in any danger.

It was unknown how much propane had leaked.

Mehring said the leaked propane caused a noticeable odor.

The driver of the passenger car was cited for causing the accident, Mehring said.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.