Fuel tanker tips on Dempster Highway near Fort McPherson, N.W.T.

A driver hauling fuel to Inuvik, N.W.T.,tipped his truck on the Dempster Highwayafterswerving to avoid an animal, according to the N.W.T.Department of Transportation.

The accident occurred on March 9 about110 kilometres pastthe N.W.T./Yukon border, between Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic.

The driver was unharmed, said KevinMcLeod, the N.W.T.'s director of highways.

"Apparently the driver was avoiding some wildlife," saidMcLeod."He over-corrected perhaps, early indications are, and he tipped over."

A small amount of fuel leaked from the truck but was quickly contained, he said.

"Thedriver had anti-fuel spillage kits on the truck, and ourstaffer had some spill kits on his truck too he was the first person on scene about20 minutes after it happened," said McLeod.

"They contained it with spill kits and some putty to put over tank exteriors."

Crew members were expected to remove the truck from the highway Friday afternoon.

The accident was the first of its kind this season on the N.W.T. half of Dempster Highway, though two fuel tankers have overturned on the Yukon side of the highwaysince the end of December.