Zedelgem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A manure tanker overturned on a regional road between Veldegem and Torhout, spilling 10,000 litres of manure and causing traffic disruption in Zedelgem.
An unexpected flat tire on the tractor towing the manure tanker caused the mishap. The fire department was quite busy getting the tractor and tanker to the side and removing all of the manure.
The accident happened near Bruggestraat (N32), just past the border, soon before 3 p.m. According to zone 1 fire lieutenant Van Maldeghem, “the contents of the entire cart were emptied.”
Eliminating the manure remained a difficult task.
“The manure flowed over the street and into the canal on one side, where the street slopes down a bit. We dammed that part with sand. We sprayed all the manure that was on the street to that point in the canal, which diluted it. That made it easier to get rid of the manure.”
For a long time, the route was blocked by the accident. In Torhout and Veldegem, Belgium, traffic had to be rerouted via Pottebezemstraat.
To remove all of the manure, the fire department had to arrive on the site.
How did the manure spill from the overturned truck impact local road safety?
Around 10,000 liters of manure spilled onto the road, causing dangerous and slick conditions that probably necessitated road closures or detours while cleanup workers attempted to remove the mess. Similar occurrences have resulted in whole or partial road closures, which have delayed emergency response and traffic.
Particularly on curves or narrow roads, manure on the road surface can decrease tire traction, raising the possibility of more collisions. Drivers who were not familiar with the spill may have encountered unexpected dangers that called for prudence and reduced speed.
Spills of manure can release pungent smells and potentially dangerous microorganisms, endangering the health of rescuers and local inhabitants. Runoff must be managed during cleanup operations to avoid contaminating neighboring land and rivers.
