HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – The lanes of the SR 386 exit ramp have re-opened after a chemical spill closed them for about ten hours.
A crash involving a semi-truck hauling large batteries blocked the off-ramp along Vietnam Veterans Boulevard in Hendersonville.
The incident was reported around 8:30 a.m. at exit 3 not far from Johnny Cash Parkway.
The Hendersonville Fire Chief, Scotty Bush, said a semi-truck hauling 16 large batteries was taking a curve, when the load shifted causing the truck to turn over.
During the crash several batteries spilled from the truck, and broke. Battery acid leaked, and formed hydrochloric acid, which can be harmful if it comes in contact with skin or inhaled.
Each battery was about the size of an engine block.
Bush said the chemicals were forming a small gas cloud, which was determined as not dangerous.
He said, because of that, the first priority while responding to the crash was to contain the spill. They placed dry chmicals on top of the acid to do so.
He said they have monitored neighboring communities, and all were considered safe.
Numerous emergency responders were called to the scene. Clean up crews set up a tent in the area, and multiple crews were still working to upright the truck and haul away the batteries.
The truck driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Westbound traffic was affected with the off-ramp blocked. Eastbound traffic was not experiencing delays.
