Toxic traffic: Chemical spill brings Atlanta highway to a standstill for over 5 hours (PHOTOS)
Some 250 gallons (946 liters) of toxic chemicals brought an Atlanta highway to a halt on Monday morning as hazardous material crews attempted to bring the spill under control.
An articulated truck carrying Benzoyl Chloride overturned on the interstate after colliding with an SUV.
Images and video from the scene show a crew in hazmat suits dealing with the spill that happened at 2am local time and closed the highway until 7:30am, reported AJC.
Benzoyl Chloride is mainly used for the production of peroxides and is considered hazardous but not life threatening.
OFFICIALS: Truck traveling w container of hazardous material crashes on connector heading North. Both sides shut down. Smell very strong pic.twitter.com/rejXL0NDn9
— Kaitlyn Pratt Fox 5 (@Fox5Kaitlyn) April 17, 2017
Due to an accident, lanes are closed on Interstate 75/85 at North Ave. The Downtown Atlanta campus has been delayed until 10am.
— Georgia State U. (@GeorgiaStateU) April 17, 2017
Classes were delayed in nearby Georgia State University as emergency services attempted to deal with the collision, which left the hazardous chemical spilled on the highway along with 50 gallons of fuel.
Cortez Stafford with Atlanta Fire Department provides an update on current situation on downtown connector, MORE: https://t.co/wSzo11ZXIDpic.twitter.com/vfZamdnMUe
— CBS46 (@cbs46) April 17, 2017
Watch: UPDATE: tow truck leaves with chemical truck - southbound lanes now open - https://t.co/iXiJStXkPJ#Atlantapic.twitter.com/OKTRTcyeKI
— John Spink (@johnjspink) April 17, 2017
Cortez Stafford from the Atlanta Fire Department told reporters that both drivers managed to escape from their vehicles and were taken to hospital with minor injuries following the crash.
“Some of the chemical inside spilled onto the interstate. A very small amount but we have to take precautions to make sure it’s contained,” Stafford said.
Watch: UPDATE: southbound lanes now open - Chemical blocks NB Downtown Connector - https://t.co/iXiJStXkPJ#Atlantapic.twitter.com/3cLQBjW9UV
— John Spink (@johnjspink) April 17, 2017
6:20a #REDALERT Atlanta FD hazmat approach crashed big rig carrying chemicals closing Downtown Connector NB & SB at 10th St #ATLtrafficpic.twitter.com/XtWh0tpOR3
— Mark McKay (@mckayWSB) April 17, 2017