(Spencer)– An overturned semi pulling a tanker loaded with anhydrous ammonia shut down a road in Clay county for most of the afternoon Monday into the early morning hours this (Tues.) morning.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says 61-year-old Michael Beford of Sherburn, Minnesota was driving the semi on County Road B17 when he failed to negotiate a curve near Green Slough. The semi tractor and tanker-trailer left the road and flipped over into a ditch. The tanker then began to leak its contents.
Bedford had to be extricated from the cab of the semi by rescue crews. He was transported by ambulance to Spencer Hospital and was later airlifted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. No information was immediately available on the nature of his injuries or condition.
Crews worked through the night Monday and early this (Tues.) morning cleaning up the wreckage and pumping off the liquid anhydrous. The road was finally re-opened around 3:00 a.m.
The Iowa Great Lakes chapter of the American Red Cross was on the scene providing food and provisions to the clean-up workers.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Dickens, Fostoria and Spencer Fire and Rescue units; the Iowa State Patrol; Spencer Police Department; Clay County Emergency Management; Spencer paramedics; the Clay County Road Department; and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Authorities say the crash remains under investigation.
