Big rig overturns in Sunol

SUNOL, Calif. - A big-rig hauling aluminum sulfate that ended up on its side Wednesday in Sunol did not leak harmful fluid, Alameda County fire officials said around 4 p.m.

The fire department initially incorrectly said the liquid in the truck was ammonium sulfate. 

Initial fluid leakage was from coolant from the tractor, Alameda Fire said, but even if hazardous materials had leaked, they would be about 100 yards from the nearest lake and would have posed no threat.

The 18-wheel double tanker was trying to navigate a tight turn just after noon at Geary and Calaveras roads in Sunol when the driver lost control and went off the road. There were no injuries and the driver of the vehicle refused to be taken to the hospital, Alameda County Fire said.

California Highway Patrol reported the big-rig was stuck in a gully, which fire officials said was difficult to access.

Authorities will remain on the scene while a clean-up company removes the fluids from the truck, which will take between 5 and 6 hours at least, Alameda County Fire said. The road will remain closed until then.