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5,000 Evacuated After Hazardous Acid Spill In Pa.

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Mar 21, 2009 12:38 pm US/Eastern

5,000 Evacuated After Hazardous Acid Spill In Pa.

WIND GAP, Pa. (CBS/AP) ― Evacuation orders for about 5,000 people in northeastern Pennsylvania remain in effect even as authorities say the leak of a hazardous chemical has been contained.

Authorities say a tanker truck carrying more than 16 tons of hydrofluoric acid overturned early Saturday near Wind Gap, about 60 miles north of Philadelphia.

Northampton County spokesman John Conklin says the driver was treated for injuries and released. There were no other immediate reports of injuries.

Conklin says hazardous materials teams managed to stop the slowly dripping liquid. He says not enough of the chemical leaked to create a toxic cloud.

According to police, the crash occurred when the driver, Raymond Leblanc, 54, lost control of the truck attempting to swerve to avoid a deer in the southbound lane of the highway. Leblanc was transported to Pocono Medical center with minor injuries. The passenger, Joseph Dault, 51, received no injuries in the crash.

Hydrofluoric acid in low doses can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. Inhalation can be fatal.

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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