January 16, 2004
The following are transcripts provided by Howard County police of the first calls to dispatchers notifying authorities of Tuesday's fuel tanker accident on Interstate 95, followed by the communications between dispatchers and emergency workers responding to the call.

Dispatcher: Howard County 911.

Female caller: Hello, we have an emergency here on 95. Holy ---- !

Dispatcher: What, ma'am? Calm down, where on 95 are you?

Caller: Howard County line.

Dispatcher: You're right at the line?

Caller: Sir, there's been an explosion.

Dispatcher: Ma'am, the Baltimore County line or the P.G. County line?

Caller: Howard and Baltimore County, sir. Holy cow!

Dispatcher: OK, what exactly happened?

Caller: Cars, and a truck. Two cars -- Oh, God.

Dispatcher: Are they on fire?

Caller: Yes, sir. They're exploding right now.

Dispatcher: Are you northbound or southbound?

Caller: I'm heading northbound -- Oh, my God. They're dead. Holy ---- .

Dispatcher: Did you stop?

Caller: Yes. I'm here, I can't get too far because they're exploding.

Dispatcher: OK, ma'am, I need you to take one deep breath for me, OK?

Caller: Yes. The people are dead in the trucks. Oh, ---- . I'm sorry. They're exploding. Can you hear them?