Rte. 95 reopens after tanker truck rollover

Posted: 07/16/12 at 10:15 pm EDT      Last Updated: 07/17/12 at 12:43 pm EDT

WOBURN, Mass. (WHDH) -- State police said a tanker truck rolled over on Route 95 southbound at exit 38 in Woburn Monday night, causing both sides of the highway to shut down. Traffic was being diverted off onto Route 93.

According to state police, the tanker was hauling flammable liquids at the time of the crash and is leaking some of its contents. Reports suggested the crash involved a passenger car and the tanker truck, state police say.

Route 95 was shut down on both the north and southbound sides of the road and traffic was diverted off of the highway, state police said.

By 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, all lanes were opened on I-95 Northbound and Southbound as well as ramps on and off I-95 from I-93 and Washington St.

Woburn Police and Fired Department contained the spill overnight and evacuated people from nearby homes and businesses, according to state police.

About 150 guests were evacuated from a Hampton Inn nearby the accident. Guests struggled to find a place to stay for the night.

“I don’t have a rental car and I don’t have any other place to stay. I checked with the other hotel, they don’t have rooms,” said Raj Vepa, who was forced to leave the hotel.

The Red Cross set up a shelter at Woburn Memorial High School, but many residents went elsewhere -- some ended up as far away as Rhode Island and New Hampshire. No injuries were reported at the hotel.

The driver of the truck was taken to Mass. General Hospital with unknown injuries.

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