Benson, NC - Hazmat 12/21/06

[Bababoosky 24]

Date:12/21/06

Time:2100

Location:Benson, NC

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Writer:Bababoosky

Truck hauling 6,000 pounds uranium overturns on I-95

Associated Press

BENSON, N.C. - A tractor-trailer hauling about 6,000 pounds of low-grade uranium overturned Thursday as it exited Interstate 95 in Johnston County, authorities said.

The truck crashed onto its side after the driver lost control while exiting onto Interstate 40, said Jason Barbour, the county's emergency communications director. One of two people in the truck suffered minor injuries, and no other vehicles were involved, he said.

Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Everett Clendenin said the truck was carrying a radioactive material called packaged fissile. The powdered uranium was packed in containers that weren't breached by the accident, he said.

"There's no threat to the public," Clendenin said. "It's a low grade uranium."

The accident happened just before 9 p.m. Traffic was diverted and the exit ramp was closed for several hours. Clendenin said the ramp should reopen early Friday morning.

The uranium was being transported by Portsmouth Marine Terminal, from Portsmouth Va., to Global Nuclear Fuels in Wilmington, a coastal city about 130 miles southeast of Raleigh.