NEWS RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF DUBUQUE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Contact:
Greg Egan, Chief Deputy
Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office
563-589-4406
Jan. 28, 2013 - For Immediate Release
Update on 151/61 Tanker Trailer Accident
DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Local emergency responders remain on the scene of a semi-tractor trailer accident that occurred this morning on U.S. highway 151/61 south of Dubuque near the 151/61 interchange. The overturned tanker trailer contains ethyl acetate, a highly flammable substance, and traffic is expected to be detoured from the area for several hours. Public safety officials are asking motorists to avoid the area.
The southbound lane of U.S. 61 is closed as well as the northbound lane of U.S. 151. Traffic is being diverted to avoid the area. Motorists who must use these routes may experience delays until the accident scene is cleared.
The Key West Fire Department is the lead agency responding to the accident, in conjunction with the Dubuque Fire Department HazMat Team, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, Dubuque County Emergency Management, and several other Dubuque County fire departments. There have been no injuries involved in the incident.
Waiting for another tanker to transfer the material into, after which the trailer will be uprighted and removed from the area. These operations are expected to continue for the next several hours. The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Association’s (OSHA) website, ethyl acetate is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid with a pleasant, fruity odor. It is frequently used as a solvent.
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