MEDIA RELEASE

Fire/rescue crews responded to a 3:18 a.m. alarm for a crash between a passenger vehicle and a fuel tanker near the intersection of Highway 19 and Old Mamalahoa Highway in Papaikou Saturday (Dec 4).

One patient was transported to Hilo Medical Center from the crash.

Highway 19 was closed between Pinky’s Store and Kai School as an oil spill from the crash was cleaned up. Traffic was detoured through Old Mamalahoa Highway for about two hours. The cause of the crash was not reported.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (12/4/10 12:05 p.m.)

Road closure/detour on Highway 19, between Pinky’s Store and Kal. School in Papaikou, continuing, clean up taking longer than anticipated, traffic being detoured up Papaikou, road closure to continue, undetermined at this time when clean up will be completed.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (12/4/10 2:16 p.m.)

Highway 19 in the area of Papaikou has been opened, roadway previously closed with detours due to traffic accident that resulted in fuel/oil on roadway.