Thousands Evacuate After Truck Crashes in Northampton Co.
Updated 10:04 PM EST, Sat, Mar 21, 2009
Thousands of residents were evacuated from their homes after a tanker truck carrying a hazardous acid crashed along Route 33 in Wind Gap, Pa.
The truck overturned on southbound Route 33 near Route 512 around 2:40 a.m. Saturday.
The truck carried more than 16 tons of hydrofluoric acid. A small drip onto the roadway prompted local evacuations, according to Northampton County officials.
The hazardous spill forced the about 5,000 people within a mile radius in Northampton County out of their homes. More than 200 people temporarily took shelter at Pen Argyl High School, according to the Pocono Record.
Route 33 was closed between Cherry Valley Road and Route 512 for most of the day.
The truck driver claimed that the accident happened when he swerved to avoid a deer and lost control of his big rig. He was treated at a local hospital and released.
The spill was contained by Saturday afternoon, said officials.
Residents were allowed to return home around 4 p.m. Saturday.
First Published: Mar 21, 2009 5:40 PM EST
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