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POLK COUNTY—An overturned fuel tanker closed down a portion of Hwy. 9 in Polk County Tuesday morning. The accident occurred near Hugh Champion Rd., near the intersection of US-74.

The initial call came in at 8:09 a.m., and no injuries were reported.

The tanker was hauling approximately 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline, according to the Polk County Fire Marshal’s office.

“Less than 30 gallons of fuel spilled from the tanker, we were able to dam and dyke the spill to contain it,” said Assistant Fire Marshall Andrew Kegley on Wednesday. “We were able to prevent any effect on local waterways and vegetation.”

Officials with the North Carolina Highway Patrol said that the tanker was traveling south on Hwy. 9 when it veered off the right side of the road and overcorrected. It then ran off the left side of the road before crashing. 

Both lanes were closed on Tuesday morning from Will Green Rd. to US-74 and were reopened by 3:55 p.m. once the site was cleaned up.