Windalco Truck Overturns - NEPA Warns Of Possible Spillage In Salt River, Clarendon

June 16, 2014

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) are cautioning persons to stay away from the vicinity of a motor vehicle accident on the Salt River Road, in Clarendon.

According to the NEPA at around 4:40 Monday evening, the Agency got a report that a WINDALCO contracted truck carrying 35 tonnes of Alumina Hydrate, overturned in the Salt River, two miles from the intersection of the Old Harbour Road and Free Town in Clarendon. Alumina Hydrate is a chemical used in the processing of bauxite.

The Agency noted that the while the chemical is now contained in the truck. The removal of the truck from the river may cause spillage. If the chemical contents are released it will result in a white discoloration of the water and will adversely affect aquatic life, if released in large amount.

The Agency said no one was hurt in the accident and a team from WINDALCO was currently on the scene. Meanwhile, NEPA and JBI will dispatch a team tomorrow to supervise clean-up efforts.