(Le Mars) — A semi truck and tanker hauling about 5,000 gallons of a corrosive acid turned a corner too short and consequently struck a railroad crossing standard, causing concern among local emergency officials. The accident happened at about noon today at the intersection of Hawkeye Avenue or Business Highway 75 and 12th Street southwest. The semi truck and tanker are owned by the Ruan Incorporated. There was no leakage of the corrosive acid, but city officials have closed the intersection near the Hy-Vee grocery supermarket.
The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department and the Sioux City Fire Department are on the scene with their Hazardous Materials Units. Plymouth County Emergency Management Director, Gary Junge is also monitoring the scene. Officials want to transfer the corrosive acid from the damaged tanker to a second tanker before moving it from the scene, so to limit the possibility of a spillage. Again, there is no leak of the corrosive acid. As a result of the semi tanker having the accident at the railroad crossing, both the Union Pacific and the Burlington-Northern Sante Fe railroads have been notified, and their trains have stopped from entering Le Mars. The accident occurred at about 12:00 noon today. City officials ask that if you need to conduct business at Hy-Vee or other entities on 12th Street Southwest that you find an alternative route. Le Mars Police officials say the intersection may be closed for several hours. There were no injuries associated with that semi truck accident.
