Julie Ball

jball@citizen-times.com

MARSHALL - A tractor-trailer accident Wednesday in Madison County sent a cleaning solution into Little Laurel River, turning the river white.

Authorities closed a section of N.C. 208 Wednesday evening following the accident, according to a dispatcher.

Hartwell Carson, French Broad Riverkeeper, said the 18-wheeler hauling a shipping container rolled off the road and into the Little Laurel River, spilling a cleaning solution called Megasol.

“Nobody knows how much was in there or how much was spilled,” Carson said. “It turned the river completely white for miles downstream.”

It’s not clear if the spill will affect fish or other aquatic life in the river. Crews were trying to remove the shipping container Wednesday evening, according to Carson.

“It is bad timing because the water is so low at this time,” Carson said. But Carson said fewer people are likely to be using the river this time of year.

The Little Laurel and Big Laurel come together to form the Laurel River, which flows into the French Broad, he said.

Officials with the N.C. Highway Patrol and Madison County Emergency Management could not be reached Wednesday.