Mixup at Carcross, Yukon, gas bar stalls vehicles on July 4 weekend
A mixup at a gas station in Carcross, Yukon, on Saturday left at least a half a dozen vehicles unable to go much farther — and possibly with serious engine damage.
The Carcross Grocery and Gas Bar says they were pumping diesel fuel from the regular gas pump and regular gas from the diesel pump. They say the error was noticed within hours, and corrected.
Carcross is on the highway between Whitehorse and Skagway, Alaska, a busy route for travellers, especially over the July 4 weekend.
Darryl Tait of Whitehorse was headed to Skagway on Saturday hoping to join friends for U.S. Independence Day celebrations. Shortly after gassing up in Carcross, Tait's truck lost power and quit.
Tait lost the use of his legs in a sports accident and his truck is specially equipped so he can drive it.
"At this point I'm out of cell phone range and my truck is kind of my lifeline at that point," he said.
"I'm out there in my wheelchair in the middle of nowhere."
Tait limped his vehicle back to Whitehorse where his father Jamie started inquiries about the Carcross gas.
Tait's father says the fuel supplier has promised to pay towing and repair costs.
"They've been very gracious about it and everything's going to be looked after, but he just could wind up potentially with a messed-up engine over it."
The gas bar estimates about 10 vehicles may have been affected.
The operators say people who were mistakenly given the wrong fuel will be reimbursed for costs.
