UPDATE: At least five dead after crash, ammonia leak in Effingham County
Update: 5:50 a.m. – Illinois State Police have released information about the crash involving several vehicles in the Teutopolis area Friday evening.
Illinois State Police report there are “multiple fatalities” due to this incident.
Multiple emergency departments remain on scene of the crash and the evacuation which happened east of Teutopolis. The public is still asked to avoid the area.
Around 4:50 p.m., a crash on I-70 eastbound just east of Effingham near the Montrose area caused traffic to be rerouted onto U.S. Highway 40.
At approximately 9:25 p.m., Illinois State Police responded to an additional wreck on Highway 40, about 1/2 mile east of Teutopolis, involving multiple vehicles, including a semi-truck leaking anhydrous ammonia. Due to the chemical plume, people within a one mile radius of the crash on U.S. Highway 40, including parts of Teutopolis have been evacuated.
US. Highway 40 remains closed between Teutopolis and Montrose.
Crews are working to contain the leak while first responders and emergency workers continue to respond to the incident.
Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes tells WCIA that several agencies are assisting her office, and the Illinois State Police will be the lead investigating agency in this incident.
Those looking for information on loved ones in the Teutopolis area should call Illinois State Police at 1-618-542-2171.
https://www.wcia.com/news/ammonia-leak-forces-evacuation-closes-route-40-in-effingham-county/