Firefighters poured absorbent granules to absorb leaking fuel in Wednesday’s accident
POTTSTOWN PA – It took about 2-1/4 hours to clear a two-vehicle accident that occurred Wednesday (Oct. 10, 2012) at about 12:30 p.m. on U.S. Route 422 West near the Sanatoga exit.
It had caused a fuel leak, prompting first responders to declare a hazardous materials emergency and close the highway’s westbound lanes between Sanatoga and Armand Hammer Boulevard, according to a series of real-time reports from several members of the Twitter social media platform.
No injuries were initially reported, but one of the persons involved was said to be taken to the hospital. The highway was re-opened at about 2:45 p.m.
Some drivers chose to wait outside their cars
In the interim, westbound traffic was being diverted off 422 at its Limerick-Linfield exit for a detour over Ridge Pike through Limerick, Sanatoga and Pottstown. Drivers caught behind the mishap and unable to leave 422 were left sitting in and outside their cars, waiting for the snarl to dissipate.
Reports and photos from the scene by members of The (Pottstown PA) Mercury newspaper staff indicated the accident involved a pick-up truck and a larger box truck. The pick-up appeared substantially damaged. The box truck was overturned, and appeared to have fuel leaking from its tank that responding firefighters covered with absorbent granules.
Westbound traffic was forced to exit 422 at its Limerick-Linfield exit, and take a detour across Ridge Pike through Limerick, Sanatoga, and Pottstown
Photos from John Strickler of The Mercury via Twitter
I love your comment about failing to heed the warning. What warning? KYW didn’t report the accident until nearly an hour after it happened.
The traffic at 1230 slowed as you entered the first of the construction signs, just west of Sanatoga. For those of us stuck for nearly 2 hours, there was no warning. We could only pray that the fire trucks could navigate the gridlock of traffic and help the injured in a timely manner! There were tractor trailers in both lanes, along with cars attempting to move to the very narrow shoulder to allow a path for emergency crews.