CULLISON, Kan. - (UPDATE) A stretch of highway has reopened and evacuations have been lifted after an accident caused a chemical leak in Pratt County.
Emergency crews were called to the scene on Hwy 54 near Cullison around 10 a.m. Friday.
The Pratt County sheriff's department said a truck hauling anhydrous ammonia collided with a semi. The truck carrying the ammonia flipped and the container ended up the middle of the highway.
The pickup truck driver was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for accident-related and inhalation injuries.
Officials closed the highway and evacuated the nearby town after finding a leak on the tank. Crews were concerned the tank could rupture, causing an explosion.
The tank was moved off the highway to a nearby lawn. Authorities reopened the highway, but then were forced to close the road again after attempts to patch the leak failed.
A crane was brought in to remove the tank safely. The road reopened and the evacuations orders were lifted just before 3 p.m. No other injuries were reported.
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