Tank Drops from Tractor-Trailer Rig, Blocks I-10 in San Antonio
San Antonio, TX – An unexpected traffic snarl brought San Antonio’s westward traffic to a near halt on Sunday afternoon as a 78,000-pound tank reportedly identified as an M109 Howitzer slipped off a flatbed tractor-trailer and landed on Interstate 10 near the Wurzbach Road exit.
The unusual incident occurred around 4 p.m., causing officials to shut down the busy highway to a single lane, causing significant delays and frustration amongst motorists who found their travel plans disrupted.
An Unusual Traffic Obstacle
The dropped tank is a piece of military hardware that generally houses a crew of four and is used for indirect fire support. How it ended up sprawled across the bustling freeway remains unclear. The crew from Mission Wrecker was dispatched to the scene to facilitate the removal of the intimidating obstruction.
In a statement, they revealed that they had been in contact with officials from the nearby Camp Bullis, a U.S. Army training camp located in Bexar County, Texas. The connection of the M109 Howitzer to Camp Bullis is yet to be confirmed.
Road Clearance Resumes Normal Traffic
Around 8 p.m., after diligent efforts from the work crews, the behemoth tank and the tractor-trailer were successfully removed from the highway. Subsequently, the I-10 was reopened to normal traffic, much to the relief of commuters.
While the I-10 is no stranger to traffic incidents, this particular happening attracted substantial attention due its bizarre nature. Traffic blockages due to vehicles, accidents or constructions are common, but a massive piece of military machinery obstructing the road is a sight one does not forget easily.
The swift response from the Mission Wrecker’s crew was crucial in managing the situation and preventing any long-lasting disruptions or potential accidents. The San Antonio commuters bore witness to a rare sight, but fortunately, one without any reported injuries.
Such incidents serve as a reminder to ensure secure transportation of heavy-duty machinery, even more so when it involves military equipment. For now, the I-10 has returned to its usual rhythm, save for the whispers and conversations of this unexpected incident.
Reflecting San Antonio’s Resilience
The swift resolution to this unique predicament stands testament to San Antonio’s robust emergency response infrastructure, capable of managing incidents even of this rare nature. Safeguarding the traffic flow and ensuring public safety remain the top priorities for the San Antonio officials. This event, while undoubtedly remarkable in the town’s history, ended up being nothing more than a surprising interruption in an otherwise typical Sunday afternoon.
