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NEWS
500 gallons of oil spill into Big Sandy River
BARBOURSVILLE -- About 500 gallons of oil were released into the Big Sandy River at mile marker seven on Thursday after a towing vessel sank.
The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Huntington responded to the scene and is investigating the sinking of the ship. The Coast Guard said it received a call from Gate City River Transportation, stating that the towing vessel Trojan sank and it released hundreds of gallons of oil into the river.
The spill was contained with an oil containment boom and absorbent material by the vessel owner. Weavertown Environmental Group, an environmental response contractor, is also on scene and assisting in clean-up efforts.
The Coast Guard said it will monitor the cleanup and work with Gate City River Transportation to ensure that the vessel is raised as soon as river conditions facilitate salvage operations.
