Truck crash spills 24 tons of ammonium nitrate in Rockcastle County

A truck hauling ammonium nitrate crashed yesterday morning in Rockcastle County, spilling the chemical into a nearby creek.

Emergency Management Officials say the rollover crash happened, before 10 a.m, when two truck drivers tried to pass each other along Mullins Station Road in Rockcastle County. The crash caused about 24 tons of ammonium nitrate to spill into Roundstone Creek. The chemical compound is mildly toxic and can be explosive under certain conditions. 

Eco Tech USA brought an airboat to install water booms in the creek, to prevent further contamination downstream. 

Mullins Road was closed for several hours as crews addressed the wreckage and spill.