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I-26 in Polk County, NC Reopens After Prolonged Closure Due to Gas Tanker Fire, Possible Water Contamination at Bradley Falls and Cove Creek on July 13, 2023

Published Date: July 21, 2023

Note: Our firm’s mission is to help people injured in accidents. Because we do this work, we see the consequences of these accidents on the victims and the families. Through these articles, we aim to foster a safer community and provide support to those affected by such tragedies. 

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Polk County, NC (July 13, 2023) - Local news outlets report a major accident on Interstate 26 that had severe repercussions for the residents of Polk County, North Carolina, and its surroundings. An early morning collision of a large truck, specifically a gas tanker, resulted in a massive fire which not only caused chaos on the highway, but also managed to spread into nearby woods. This unfortunate incident happened near mile marker 62, around 5:20 a.m., resulting in the closure of both eastbound and westbound lanes.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office, together with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), jumped into action. They quickly devised a plan to divert traffic to avoid the accident scene, rerouting eastbound vehicles onto Highway 25 and westbound ones onto Highway 11. This strategy remained in place for the entire day, with the accident site being inaccessible from Highway 108, US 74, and Highway 176 in Polk County until further notice.

I-26 westbound at the 60-mile marker will remain closed due to a gasoline tanker rollover reported the Saluda Fire Department, also adding that the driver of the vehicle was conscious and alert when emergency services arrived on the scene. The driver was swiftly airlifted by Regional One Air Medical to Spartanburg Regional, having suffered burn injuries in the ordeal.

There were multiple aspects to the incident that compounded the severity. Aside from the highway closure and fire, there was another grave concern. The Asheville HAZMAT team arrived on the scene due to a spill caused by the accident which flowed into a nearby creek. This development raised alarms for potential water contamination in the area, specifically affecting Bradley Falls and Cove Creek.

We have had several crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in this area over the past five or seven years," said John Sauve, public information officer for Polk County Sheriff's Office. "Any time you have a curve in a highway going into a grade as steep as the Saluda Grade, you are going to have concerns.”

Polk County Health and Human Resources Agency, in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of Public Health, and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources, promptly issued an advisory. This was a preventive measure while the water quality investigation was underway.

Polk County locals and visitors were advised to be wary of a petroleum smell in the air and any oil sheen on the water. Until the water was declared safe, officials strongly recommended avoiding swimming, wading, or fishing in Cove Creek, as well as avoiding skin contact with the possibly contaminated water, soil, and sediment in or near the river. If anyone inadvertently came into contact with these potentially hazardous substances, they were encouraged to thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water.

Through the concerted efforts of several departments, the highway was gradually reopened. One lane Westbound was opened after an hour, as road crews worked diligently to repair the guardrails. They followed a systematic approach, working on one side of the road first, before switching lanes to ensure safety measures were upheld. Despite the extensive damage, it was anticipated that all lanes would be reopened by Thursday evening, a testament to the tireless work put in by the teams on site.

While this accident is a sobering reminder of the risks associated with large vehicle accidents, the efficient and coordinated response from the various departments involved offers some reassurance to the residents and those traveling through the area. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the environmental impact of the accident.


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If you or a loved one were involved in an accident, Rosensteel Fleishman Car Accident & Injury Lawyers are ready to discuss your rights. Reach out to them today and let their experienced team guide you during this challenging time.

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Disclaimer: This article is compiled from various secondary sources to provide insights into recent accidents. We have not been able to independently verify all details. Our firm respects the privacy and dignity of those involved and is willing to amend or remove content at the request of affected parties. We understand the emotional and physical toll of traffic accidents and extend our deepest sympathies to those affected. If you find any discrepancies or outdated information, or if you are an affected party, please contact us at 704-714-1450 or send us a message.

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