Thursday, May 14, 2015

I-55 LANES IN FESTUS, MISSOURI CLOSED FOR AMMONIUM NITRATE CHEMICAL SPILL CLEANUP AFTER SEMI-TRAILER ROLLED OVER ON A RAMP DUE TO HIGH SPEED




MAY 14, 2015

FESTUS, MO. (AP)

Authorities have closed all lanes of Interstate 55 in Festus to clean up a spill from a chemical tank truck that crashed on a ramp leading from U.S. Highway 67.

The accident happened Wednesday afternoon and involved a semitrailer carrying ammonium nitrate, a chemical that's used in fertilizer. According to Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis, it is considered to be hazardous so special procedures are needed to clean it up.

Festus Fire Chief Chuck Boyer said that a crew would have to clean up the spill by hand.

Lewis said the vehicle's driver was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Authorities say the investigation of the incident is ongoing.