Wednesday, July 15, 2015

That stinks: Spilled porta-potties in I-5 crash create HazMat situation




Photo courtesy: Washington State Patrol
 
LAKE SAMISH, Wash. -- 

Seattleites might think their afternoon rush hour traffic stinks, but those near Bellingham have found it to be quite literal Tuesday afternoon when a truck hauling porta-potties crashed on I-5.

And yes, the tanks were apparently not empty.

The two-vehicle collision happened in the southbound lanes at Lake Samish just after 3:30 p.m.

The crash blocked both lanes of the freeway for about an hour as crews cleared the wreckage and a Hazmat team cleaned up about 20 gallons of spilled... porta potty material. The backup extended five miles at 4:30 p.m. before one lane reopened. The final lane reopened at 6 p.m.

Trooper Mark Francis said there were only minor injuries. There is no word yet what caused the crash.

The state DOT Twitter feeds did have a little fun with the subject of the crash, however: 


  • Now this day really stinks! All lanes SB I-5 near Lake Samish closed due to a collision. Hear it involves truck with porta potties.
  • Debating between or for updates to this one.
  • SB I-5 constipated south of Bellingham. 5-mile backup from Lake Samish to just south of Fairhaven.