Semi-trailer accident on Autobahn 65/69 leads to hazardous materials team on site | KNIA KRLS Radio

An accident involving a semi-truck led to the HazMat team being called to Highway 65/69 Friday morning, snarling traffic for several hours.

According to Indianola Fire Chief Thad White, a tractor-trailer carrying agricultural chemicals left the road at the intersection of Highway and Summerset Road. After emergency responders responded to the accident, it was discovered that hazardous materials were leaking from the truck, resulting in the Des Moines Hazardous Materials Team being called to the scene.

Captain White tells KNIA News there is a risk of hazardous materials being released into nearby rivers.

“The chemical they had was a herbicide that leaked in large quantities in one of the tanks it was carrying. It also contained 6,000 gallons of water, and because this product was leaking and mixing with the spilled water, we were concerned that it could get into a nearby stream that leads to the Middle River and in turn to the Des Moines River.

The Indianola Fire Department, Indianola Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Warren County Emergency Management, Des Moines Hazardous Materials, Midamerican Enerey and other agencies were all on scene. Captain White said the leak has been contained and the tractor-trailer will soon be removed from the scene.