Tanker truck overturns near Wal-Mart in Corbin

A tanker truck loaded with fire-retardant liquid blocked traffic on the Cumberland Gap Parkway when it was turned on its side near Stewart Road Tuesday afternoon.

Steve Douglas, public affairs officer for the Kentucky State Police Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, said the driver, Peter Burke was trying to make a U-turn at the intersection about 4:40 p.m. Tuesday when the trailer wheels went into the median grass. As the wheels sank into the softened soiled, the 45,150-pound load shifted to the left, overturning the trailer and blocking the northbound lanes.

Douglas said none of the Disflamoll, which Burke was hauling from Chicago to Fountain Inn, SC, spilled on the highway.
Burke was not injured in the crash.

West Knox Firefighters, CVE officers and Laurel County Division of Public Safety and Whitley County Emergency Management personnel responded to the scene to ensure the cargo was contained as tow trucks were used to right the trailer.

Douglas said Burke worked for Voasso America Corp. which was doing business as Gulf States Intermodal out of Chicago.
Northbound traffic was diverted onto an access road while southbound traffic was reduced to one lane as emergency personnel worked to clear the scene.