THOMASVILLE — A tractor-trailer containing a load of liquid corrosive material overturned Thursday morning at U.S. 19 North and the 84 bypass.

The northbound vehicle was turning left from 19 onto the bypass when it overturned, said Chris Jones, Thomas County emergency management director.

“It ended up on its side,” Jones said.

Oil from the tractor-trailer spilled onto the highway, and chemical liquid cargo traveled into a ditch.

The tractor-trailer contained boxes of sodium hydroxide, Jones said.

The chemical irritates the skin and has a small inhalation hazard.

No one was evacuated from the area.

Jones said a clean-up company is removing boxes of the chemical from the overturned truck and will remove the sodium hydroxide and contaminated soil from the ditch.

The company also will replace affected grass in the incident area.

Thomas County public works crews responded quickly and took measures to prevent the chemical from spreading, Jones said. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820