Truck containing blasting chemicals overturns

PATTON, Mo. -- A 10-wheel tractor-trailer carrying three chemicals used for blasting overturned Wednesday on Highway 72 in Bollinger County.

The tanker has three compartments containing an acid solution and two other compounds that, when mixed together, can cause a small explosion. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the acid solution's compartment had a small leak, but cleanup crews were taking precautions to make sure it did not mix with the other compounds.

Bollinger County chief deputy Leo McElrath said the accident occurred around 4 p.m. as the truck rolled into a ditch five miles east of Patton after another vehicle stopped abruptly causing the truck to rear-end the car and swerve into the ditch.

The driver of the truck, who the police did not identify, sustained minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Southeast Missouri Hospital. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Highway 72 was closed immediately afterward and some local residents were evacuated from the area, according to the highway patrol. The highway was to be closed overnight.

In addition to Bollinger County Sheriff's Department and the highway patrol, the Cape Girardeau and Jackson fire departments responded to the scene. A hazardous materials team was at the site late Wednesday to clean up the chemicals.

jsamons@semissourian.com

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