Where is everyone #5

Hehe! That tells you how often I get to Sascratchewan. I figured moose jaw was west of speedy creek.

 

I'd lend a hand if I could to anyone who frequents this thread if they were broke down nearby.

 

A humble reminder how quickly we can go from life to death in our profession….

50 years ago today, September 30,
1970, at approximately 1:20AM, truck
driver John A. Galt, aged 48, of
Oklahoma City, OK lost his life when
the tractor trailer semi truck he had
been driving was vaporized in an
utterly massive explosion.

Galt, who was making his first trip for
Tri State Motor Transit (TSMT) out of
Joplin, MO, was killed when a sniper’s
bullet, fired at the truck, ignited the
load of 42,800lbs. of Gelex #1
dynamite.

This incident occurred in the East
bound lanes of I-44 just west of
Springfield, MO at the Republic, MO
exit. The exact spot is just East of the
66.8 mile marker.

Windows were blown out of stores
and buildings 12 miles away in
downtown Springfield. The explosion
left a hole in the interstate roadbed 50
feet wide, 70 feet long, and 30 feet
deep. People reported at the time
hearing and feeling the concussion as
distant as 50 miles away.

Almost nothing of the truck was
recovered. One internet source claims
the engine block and engine flywheel
were all that was found. Reports of
driver remains are unreliable, and we
didn’t feel that it would add dignity to
this post to access medical examiner
or coroner’s records. Since the load of
dynamite was carried above the
chassis of the truck and trailer, the
drivetrain of the truck was likely
buried deep into the crater by the
force of the blast.

A permanent memorial of sorts
remains to Mr. Galt this very day. As
you drive over the spot, the interstate
highway has a slight depression
where the hole was since the fill has
settled somewhat over the years.

A 2012 survey claimed truck driving
was the eighth most dangerous
occupation in the U.S., based on
fatality rates per 100,000 workers.
Truck drivers had a 22.1 fatality rate
in 2012, according to preliminary data
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
(8 year old data) In 2018 truck driving
moved to the #1 deadliest job in the
United States. Overall, truck drivers
accounted for 10 percent of
workplace fatalities. (again, 2012
data) Sadly, that number too has
increased in the last couple of years.

Amid the dangers to life and limb,
truck drivers also have to endure
oppressive government regulations,
every imaginable type of weather,
road, and driving conditions, hostile
motorists, unaccommodating
shippers and receivers, dishonest
dispatchers, marginally uncompetitive
pay, home sickness, and many suffer
health issues from poor diet
offerings. Add to all of this, their
trucks are increasingly complicated
machines that can be rendered
useless by the failure of the simplest
mechanical component.

We chose this occasion of his
passing to remember Mr. Galt and the
thousands of truck drivers who have
perished, from whatever
circumstances, doing a job that is so
very vital to the survival of our nation.
Mr. Galt left behind a grieving widow
and 4 children. As was already stated,
Mr. Galt was killed as a result of an
individual’s irresponsible action......his
death will forever remain a complete
tragedy.

 

I would, and have as well. I know what it’s like being miles from home and broke down. I still remember the years before cell phones when the CB was our best friend….

 

Lol…. I can only get so close after the rain, had to use their Mack to get the block up the end of the pavement to unload. They now have the gravel down and I can get up on top and turn now. That red dot is the job site, and that 90 degree turn is narrow. I was switching the trucks out at the bottom….

 

Getting a workout. I suspect she's a bit tail heavy with the tandems all the way up. Oh well it's only a 130 miles

 

Take em on the run.

 

@MACK E-6
Your kind of squeaky toy.? Lol

 

That drop deck wagon you're hauling block on. Is that yours also.?
Seems you got lots of toys stashed away.. lol