Tanker carrying acid crashes in Kansas City

By The Associated Press
Monday, November 30, 2009 at 8:22 a.m.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A semi-tractor trailer carrying hydrochloric acid has crashed on a major highway into downtown Kansas City.

Battalion Chief Joe Vitale says the accident happened Monday morning on Interstate 35 and shut down traffic in both directions. The crash snarled morning rush hour traffic.

The tanker was carrying 45,000 pounds of hydrochloric acid when it crashed, ruptured and sent a cloud of hazardous gas blowing. Fire officials say the cloud mainly threatened a nearby casino, which was asked to shut down its air handling units and keep employees and customers inside.

The truck driver was taken to an area hospital with injuries. Two police officers were taken to a hospital after complaining of skin and throat irritation.

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