AMHERST, N.H. — Route 101 was closed Friday afternoon following a fatal crash involving a tanker truck and other vehicles.
The closure affects traffic between Baboosic Lake Road and Nashua Street. Authorities said two people were killed in the incident when a westbound car attempted to pass another vehicle, colliding head-on with the tanker. The drivers of both the car and the tanker were pronounced dead at the scene.
A pickup truck towing a trailer also struck the passing car; however, the driver of the truck sustained no injuries, according to police reports.
The overturned tanker was visible off the side of the road. “What we have is an oil tanker that has flipped over from a collision,” said Amherst Police Chief Anthony Ciampoli. “It does, in fact, have oil in it. There was reported to be a small leak as well. That's been contained, but now all that fuel needs to be transferred to another tanker.”
Emergency response teams from Clean Harbors and the Department of Environmental Services were summoned to manage the transfer of fuel. Authorities confirmed that the road would remain closed for several hours to facilitate vehicle removal and ensure safety.