FILE PHOTO

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Sept. 13, 2018) More than 600 gallons of sodium hydroxide was spilled when a tractor-trailer overturned Tuesday in Girdletree, according to Maryland State Police.

Sodium hydroxide, which is more commonly known as lye and caustic soda, is corrosive to metal and can cause severe burns to the skin and eyes if not handled properly.

According to a police narrative, Andrew Jackson Greene of Henderson, North Carolina was driving a 2005 Freightliner Tractor Trailer carrying 10 containers each filled with 330 gallons of sodium hydroxide, heading southbound on Snow Hill Road in Girdletree when the vehicle overturned.

“The operator believes the load may have shifted, causing the tractor trailer to overturn, resulting in four of the 10 barrels falling into a field and two reportedly spilling,” police said in the release. The driver was reportedly uninjured.

Troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack went to 3323 Snow Hill Road at about 4:44 p.m. Also assisting were the Maryland Department of Environment, the Maryland State Fire Marshalls Office and the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.

The Worcester County Sherriff’s Office, State Highway Administration, and Girdletree and Snow Hill fire departments also aided state police.

Police said a safe perimeter was established and hazardous materials crews were working the scene as of Tuesday evening. A road closure was expected to last until dawn on Wednesday and an investigation into the matter is ongoing.