MAY 11, 2015
WEST MIFFLIN, PENNSYLVANIA
Several homes in West Mifflin were evacuated early Monday,
after a tanker truck overturned along New England Road.
Allegheny County Hazmat crews were called to the scene
between Camp Hollow Road and Route 837 shortly before 5 a.m. because the truck
was leaking a corrosive acid.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Overturned Tanker Truck along New England Rd
between Camp Hollow and Rt 837 in West Mifflin. pic.twitter.com/qjng3WO3zZ
— WPXI Traffic (@WPXITraffic) May 11, 2015
The driver of the tanker was trapped for about three hours
before rescue crews were able to free him. He was taken to the hospital in
critical condition.
The tanker was carrying ferric chloride, which is an acidic
biproduct of steel pickling. It had just left the Irvin Steelworks when
the accident happened.
Six people in the immediate area were evacuated as a
precaution.
Officials said New England Road will likely remain closed
through the afternoon rush hour while crews unload the acid.