On its side. Leaking calcium chloride. Between Mankato and Eagle Lake at Blue Earth County Road 12 junction. Photos: Blue Earth County sheriff
Environmental threat believed minor
MANKATO, Minn. – A tanker truck carrying hundreds of gallons of diluted calcium chloride overturned on the eastern outskirts of Mankato, spilling its liquid cargo. The accident blocked U.S. Highway 14 – the historic 1,400-mile route between Chicago and Yellowstone park. How the accident occurred wasn’t immediately clear. The driver, Glenn Smebak, 52, of Little Falls, was taken to a nearby Mankato hospital. His injuries were thought to be minor. The accident occurred about 3:50 p.m. The tanker, owned by Knife River Corporation, was hailing a chemical used in road construction projects to suppress dust. A Blue Earth County highway crew and people from a wrecker company attempted to right the tanker to stem the break. They eventually lifted the trailer upright. Even so, hundreds of calcium chloride leaked out. Because the product was diluted, the environmental threat was thought to be minimal.
Dropping punctured tank back on tractor. To be towed from from scene so U.S.. 14 lanes traffic lanes can be reopned again. Highway was closed three hours.