ACCIDENT BLOCKS I-55 FOR EXTENDED PERIOD

CRYSTAL CITY -- A tanker truck carrying anhydrous ammonia overturned on Highway 61 near Interstate 55 in Jefferson County about 11 a.m. Friday, forcing the evacuation of an elementary school and tying up traffic.

There were no injuries in the accident, authorities said.

The ramp from I-55 to Highway 61 was closed for hours and authorities discovered the overturned tanker was leaking the chemical, a spokesperson for the Missouri Highway Patrol Troop C office in Kirkwood said Saturday.

Traffic on a section of Interstate 55 was closed for a time. A section along Highway 61 remained closed to traffic until 2:30 a.m. Saturday, the spokesperson said.

At one point, authorities evacuated about a one-square-mile area of homes and businesses, along with an elementary school, the patrol official said.

About 275 elementary school children were evacuated from a nearby school, authorities said.

In addition to state troopers, area police and fire departments responded to the scene, along with personnel from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The patrol official said the anhydrous ammonia had to be removed before the tanker truck could be righted.

Anhydrous ammonia is used primarily as a fertilizer.