A hazardous-materials team on its way to a drill happened upon an overturned methane tanker Monday whose crash cut off the main road and rail links between Alaska's two largest cities.

A team from Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson Army Post was driving in a caravan to Fort Greely for the drill and came upon the scene on the Parks Highway, near Denali National Park between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

The semi was leaking diesel fuel, but there was no indication of damage to the tank holding 9,000 gallons of refrigerated liquefied methane, which is transported under pressure and is highly explosive.

The driver, Robert Adkins, 63, escaped from the cab and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, said Patty Sullivan, spokeswoman for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The cause of the crash wasn't known.

A crew from Fairbanks Natural Gas, which owns the methane, removed a rock that jammed a vent designed as a safety valve on the trailer.

"Because it's venting properly it'll maintain a temperature that will reduce the risk of explosion," said Ken Barkley, an acting assistant fire chief for the borough.

Responders were considering the best way to empty the tanker of methane before trying to lift it back onto its wheels.

The truck is owned by TG Services of Wasilla. A phone listing for the company couldn't be found.

The Alaska Railroad, whose tracks are within a mile of the highway, halted trains for part of the day. The highay remained closed early Monday evening.