 Five individuals tragically lost their lives, while five others suffered severe injuries in a devastating incident that occurred when a truck overturned in the heart of central Illinois. This catastrophic event led to the release of a hazardous substance from the truck's cargo, necessitating the evacuation of a significant number of local residents. These dire circumstances were revealed by authorities on a somber Saturday.
The incident transpired around 9:25 p.m. on a Friday night in Teutopolis when a semi-truck carrying caustic anhydrous ammonia toppled over. The truck, bearing a substantial load of 7,500 gallons (approximately 28,390 liters), spilled more than half of its dangerous cargo, as reported by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
The heart-wrenching toll of this tragedy included five lives lost, with three individuals from the same family, comprising one adult and two children under the age of 12, among the victims. The remaining two casualties were adult motorists from out of state, as revealed by Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes. Additionally, five people had to be airlifted to hospitals, although the details of their conditions remained undisclosed. The names of the victims were withheld, and authorities refrained from discussing the specific causes of their deaths.
In response to this calamity, emergency crews toiled relentlessly throughout the night, striving to manage the hazardous plume emanating from the spill, all while facing significant challenges in accessing the crash site.
Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns emphasized the valor of the first responders, including firefighters, EMTs, hazmat specialists, and police officers, who were diligently working at the scene. He expressed these sentiments during a press conference on a sobering Saturday morning.
Moreover, private and federal environmental contractors were summoned to the scene to provide expertise and recommendations for the intricate cleanup process. Teutopolis, a town with a population of 1,600 located approximately 110 miles (roughly 177 kilometers) northeast of St. Louis, would soon be the focus of their efforts.
The National Transportation Safety Board, as noted by spokesperson Jennifer Gabris, will conduct a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The accident left behind a sizeable plume of anhydrous ammonia on the roadway, creating perilous air conditions in the northeastern vicinity of Teutopolis, as described by Kuhns. These adverse conditions compelled emergency responders to exercise caution and mitigate the risks before actively engaging in their efforts. The affected area proved to be quite extensive.
Despite their determined efforts, the overnight crews grappled with the ever-changing wind patterns. Tim McMahon, the chief of the Teutopolis Fire Protection District, recounted the challenges posed by the shifting winds and the need to deploy teams in different directions to adapt to these changes.
Approximately 500 residents living within a one-mile radius of the crash site were promptly evacuated from their homes. The rerouting of traffic, including the tanker, to U.S. 40, a road that bisects Teutopolis, was necessitated earlier on Friday due to a separate truck accident on Interstate 70. Phillip Hartke, a Teutopolis resident who also farms with his son outside of town, recalled how U.S. 40 became congested following the closure of I-70.
Hartke, who had completed his corn harvesting around 9:30 p.m., found himself in the midst of the unfolding disaster as he drove home. The acrid odor of anhydrous ammonia hung in the air as he approached the town center, and the presence of emergency vehicles signaled the gravity of the situation.
"Firefighters advised us right there: 'Evacuate to the west,'" Hartke recounted. He estimated that approximately 85% of Teutopolis residents were affected by the evacuation, and he and his wife sought refuge with their son. The tightly-knit nature of the community was expected to provide support and solace to most evacuees, as many had close relatives residing within a short distance.
Anhydrous ammonia serves multiple purposes, such as aiding farmers in enriching the soil with nitrogen fertilizer and functioning as a refrigerant in the cooling systems of large structures like warehouses and factories. The American Chemical Society notes that this substance is transported throughout the United States via pipelines, trucks, and trains.
Tragically, incidents involving anhydrous ammonia have resulted in significant harm in the past. In 2019, dozens of individuals fell ill in suburban Chicago due to open valves on tanks of anhydrous ammonia being transported from a farm in Wisconsin to one in Illinois, leading to a toxic gas cloud and numerous hospitalizations. Similarly, in 2002, a train derailment released anhydrous ammonia in Minot, North Dakota, causing one fatality and numerous injuries, including burns and respiratory issues.
The extreme dangers associated with anhydrous ammonia exposure were reiterated by Kuhns, who emphasized its capacity to cause severe harm when inhaled.
In addition to possessing a commercial driver's license, individuals operating toxic-substance tankers are required to undergo additional training and successfully complete a hazardous material endorsement test, according to Don Schaefer, CEO of the Mid-West Truckers Association. This endorsement, once obtained, allows for the transportation of hazardous materials on public highways, subject to stringent scrutiny.
As of midday on Saturday, the accident scene remained heavily cordoned off. Kuhns extended his apologies for any inconvenience resulting from the investigation and evacuation, urging patience and understanding from the affected community as they devoted their resources to addressing the hazardous spill and its repercussions.
