(Effingham) — The National Transportation Safety Board is revealing its initial report of the deadly ammonia tanker crash last month near T-Town. The multi-vehicle crash happened on September 29th on U.S. Highway 40. The NTSB found that the crash was caused by a car trying to pass the tanker in a no-passing zone, as another car was driving in the opposite direction. To avoid a collision between the two cars, the truck driver reportedly steered to the right, going off the road into a roadside ditch, hitting a 12-inch metal culvert, and jackknifing causing the tanker to roll onto its side. The tanker then hit the tow ring of a utility trailer, which tore a hole into the tanker and caused thousands of gallons of ammonia to leak out. That leak resulted in the deaths of five people, all from exposure to the anhydrous ammonia. At least seven others were hurt. The crash remains under investigation, and the NTSB intends to issue safety recommendations to prevent similar events.
