Bridge collapse leads to river contamination
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A private bridge in southwest Iowa collapsed when a tractor loaded with fertilizer attempted to cross it, spilling an unknown amount of fertilizer and about 100 gallons of diesel fuel into the Tarkio River, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The incident was reported about 9:20 a.m. Friday and happened about 1-1/2 miles north of Stanton.
Clint Means, 53, of Villisca, was driving the vehicle, a John Deere F4365 high-capacity nutrient applicator, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office reported. It weighs about 31,000 pounds when it is empty.
The vehicle was hauling dry fertilizer -- monoammonium phosphate, sulfur and potash. It fell into the river and went onto its side. Means suffered unspecified serious injuries and was taken by a medical helicopter to a hospital, the sheriff's office said.
The DNR placed absorbent booms downstream to help contain the contamination, and no fish kill was apparent as of Monday, said Brent Martens, an environmental specialist for the department. He said tests of the river water were pending.
The DNR has not determined how much fertilizer might have spilled into the river. The vehicle has a storage capacity of about 330 cubic feet.
The bridge is part of a private driveway that crosses the river, which flows south to the Missouri River.