A southeastern New Brunswick family is unsure about what the future holds for their home after a transport truck crashed into it in the middle of the night.
The family from Aulac, N.B., says everyone was sound asleep when the incident happened around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The truck’s trailer was empty but its fuel tanks were nearly full. As a result, hundreds of litres of diesel continues to seep into the ground.
“Obviously there's environmental issues with it being in the ground,” said Travis Elliot, the homeowner’s son. “It's affected our well water. We can't have the water on in the house at all. We've been told not to drink it, shower, touch it.”
The homeowner says when she came out of her living room, she could hear the sound of fuel leaking from the truck.
She says the driver was screaming at her to get out of the house, as he was worried it would explode.
Both managed to get out safely.
The homeowner’s sister, Sue Gallant, says she arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and spoke with the driver.
“He looked lost and he looked sad, I will say that,” said Gallant. “I felt bad for him. He just didn't know what to do, but he was being very co-operative and talking with all the helpers and the police.”
This is the third time in the last five years a vehicle has struck the home. But it's the first incident involving a transport truck.
“It's overwhelming,” said Gallant. “The smell in the house is overwhelming. Out in the yard we can smell it as we're standing here.”
Southeast District RCMP have ruled out mechanical failure in the truck. Sgt. Paul Gagne says no charges have been laid against the driver yet, but their investigation is ongoing.
The insurance company will be putting the homeowner up in a room in Sackville, N.B., but her family says the chances of her returning to live in her home aren't looking good.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jonathan MacInnis.
