Truck Crash Spills Tons Of Chemical Into, Near Rockcastle Co. Creek

ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — A truck hauling ammonium nitrate crashed Tuesday morning in Rockcastle County, spilling about 24 tons of the chemical in and around a nearby creek.Emergency management officials said the rollover crash happened before 10 a.m. along Mullins Station Road east of Mount Vernon.The road is expected to be closed for about five hours as crews work to address the wreckage and spill.Environmental cleanup crews are also responding. Ammonium nitrate, typically used as a high-nitrogen fertilizer, is mildly toxic to the touch and can be explosive under certain conditions.Officials said an "unknown amount" of the substance may have entered nearby Roundstone Creek.Eco Tech USA is using an air boat to put water booms in the water to prevent further contamination of the water down stream. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/nMmLcr2VXU— Claire Kopsky (@ClaireMKopsky) July 24, 2018Kentucky State Police estimate the road to be closed for at least the next five hours while they work to remove the truck. They said the damage to the creek could last for months. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/mLtGY3OGJF— Claire Kopsky (@ClaireMKopsky) July 24, 2018