Chemical spill causes the closure of 421

A tractor-trailer accident at approximately 5 p.m. Wednesday caused the closure of U.S. 421 in Wilkes County.

The cause of the accident is unknown at this time, but the truck flipped, spilling phosphorous acid onto the roadway.

The southbound lanes were open to traffic. The spill occurred in the northbound lanes.

The driver was transported via helicopter to Charlotte Regional Medical Center. His identity and condition have not been released.

Hazardous material and emergency management crews worked through the night to clear the scene.

The tractor-trailer wreckage could not be moved until Thursday morning, causing the northbound lanes of traffic to be closed for several hours.

—Melanie Davis, staff writer