Truck crashes in Rockcastle County, spilling ammonium nitrate

ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – Emergency crews were on the scene of a chemical spill in Rockcastle County.

State Police say two tractor-trailers were passing each other on Mullins Station Road around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, when the road gave away flipping one of the trucks.

The truck that flipped was carrying 24 tons of ammonium nitrate, according to officials. The road has been closed for hours.

Ammonium nitrate is a chemical used in fertilizer and explosives.

Authorities say the 24 tons of ammonium nitrate the truck was carrying spilled and that the chemical went into Round Stone Creek.

They say the truck was delivering to Kentucky Power Company just down the road. The company uses the chemical for mine explosives.

Environmental teams were on scene surveying what damage was caused by the spill.

“As far as the wildlife, we do know that ammonium nitrate is lethal to some fish,” says Officer Chris McQueen with Kentucky State Police. “I do know that at this moment there are dead fish in the river.”

Rockcastle County Emergency Management says blockers have been placed across the creek to contain the chemical.

Officials say the driver of the truck was able to crawl out and was not injured.

According to State Police, the roadway is still closed but residents are being let through.