Thousands of fish die in creek after truck crash
NEWARK, Ohio – Ohio wildlife officials say thousands of fish were killed when a tractor-trailer carrying hazardous materials crashed through a bridge guardrail and into a creek earlier this month.
State Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife spokeswoman Karen Norris tells The Columbus Dispatch nearly 6,400 fish were killed in Raccoon Creek in Newark. The crash and spill affected about 1.5 miles of the Licking County stream.
The crash happened Nov. 3 when the driver lost control of the truck carrying phosphoric and sulfuric acids and plunged into the creek. Some of the fluids and diesel fluid leaked into the waterway.
Norris says no other animals were killed as a result of the incident.
The site was closed for two days following the crash as crews cleaned up the area.