LIQUID NITROGEN TANKER OVERTURNS IN ROANE

(09/22/2008)
US Route 119 in Roane County is open to traffic after a tanker truck overturned earlier today.

The accident happened around 7:00 a.m.

Sheriff Todd Cole said a Lewis County driver took the wrong exit on I-79 at Clendenin and ended up wrecking the truck on an unfamiliar highway.

Authorities say the driver lost control, causing the truck to overturn between Gandeeville and Walton.

The truck was carrying liquid nitrogen.

A leak allowed liquid nitrogen vapors to be released into the air and one house was evacuated.

Liquid nitrogen is an extremely cold, inert, colorless, odorless and nonflammable gas that can cause breathing difficulties in high doses.

School buses were redirected to other routes.

The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Fire departments from Walton and Gandeeville along with HAZMAT team members cleaned up the chemical spill. threatening.