Log truck overturns, slowing traffic

Published 12:06 am Wednesday, October 19, 2011

ERIC SHELTON | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Thomas McGinty, left, and Derrick Davis of the Natchez Fire Department help clean up the scene after an 18-wheeler carrying logs and driven by Terry Wallace of ATM Trucking overturned in the intersection of U.S. 61 South and John R. Junkin Drive Tuesday at lunchtime. No one was injured in the accident.

NATCHEZ — Drivers evaded a mess of trouble Tuesday after a logging truck tipped on its side midday on U.S. 61 South, spilling tree trunks onto the highway.

Police Chief Mike Mullins said fortunately no one was injured, including the truck driver.

Mullins said no cars were in the adjacent lanes to the truck, which was making a left from John R. Junkin onto the highway near Natchez Regional Medical Center.

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He said the absence of other cars at the intersection during the midday hour was unusual.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation, Natchez Police Department and Adams County Sheriff’s office responded to the scene, which took approximately four hours to clear, Mullins said. Responders had to wait for another logging truck to arrive to reload the load of logs.

Although traffic flowed slowly through one lane during the clean up, it was halted for only 10 to 15 minutes before the logs were repositioned.