Officials reported on Saturday that a semi-truck transporting 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia overturned in Illinois during a multi-vehicle collision that resulted in five fatalities and sent another five people to local hospitals.
The accident, which involved "multiple" vehicles, occurred on US Highway 40 approximately a half-mile east of Teutopolis, Illinois, at approximately 9:25 p.m. local time on Friday, according to a statement reviewed by CBS News.
Illinois Truck Crash and Ammonia Leak Leaves 5 Dead
The accident's impact caused the vehicle to start spilling. According to a press release by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, this prompted the evacuation of 500 individuals.
Early estimates indicate that approximately 4,000 gallons have leaked, and the breach has been "partially patched," according to the news release. Kim Rhodes, the coroner for Effingham County, stated that five persons perished and five others were airlifted to hospitals in unknown condition.
During a Saturday morning news conference, an official from the Illinois State Police characterized the accident as "very serious" and as a "fluid" situation.
The sheriff of Effingham County, Paul Kuhns, told reporters that the ammonia release produced a "large plume."
Because the leak caused "terribly dangerous air conditions in the northeast area of Teutopolis," an evacuation was ordered within an approximate one-mile radius of the accident, Kuhns said. Saturday evening, Effingham County reported that evacuation orders were rescinded for some areas.
Officials refused to comment on the causes of the fatalities. Kuhns stated that the air conditions required emergency responders to "wait" and "mitigate the conditions" before gaining "actual access" to the incident site. Kuhns said the accident site encompassed a "fairly large area."
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How Dangerous is Illinois Ammonia Leakage?
The National Transportation Safety Board announced in a statement published Saturday on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it would investigate the accident in conjunction with the Illinois State Police and the Effingham County Sheriff's Office.
According to authorities, a father and his two young children were among the five people killed in a multi-vehicle crash in central Illinois involving a semi-truck transporting potentially toxic anhydrous ammonia.
The Effingham County coroner's office confirmed the five fatalities, and five were airlifted to other facilities late Saturday night. Their conditions were not made public, and the office had previously stated that it was awaiting updates from medical personnel.
Jennifer Gabris, a spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board, said a 15-person team comprised of motor carrier, hazmat, and survival-factor investigators was anticipated to arrive at the incident site Saturday night.
Between Teutopolis and Montrose, US Route 40 is closed. The Illinois State Police advise the public to avoid the affected area, as per AoL.
Toxic anhydrous ammonia can be fatal in high concentrations when inhaled. The ammonia can also damage the skin and eyes and cause severe respiratory injuries. At the news conference, an official referred to the substance as "terrible."
Teutopolis is a community of just over 1,600 residents located approximately 92 miles southeast of the state capital, Springfield, Illinois. Five people were killed and hundreds were evacuated in Teutopolis after a vehicle accident caused an ammonia leak.
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