Logging truck accident kills 2, causes traffic delays

At least two people have died after a logging truck lost its load Monday afternoon north of Clinton, according to Van Buren County and state officials.

Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department spokesman Randy Ort said the accident occurred around 3:22 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 65 south and Arkansas 16 east.

Van Buren County Sheriff Scott Bradley said at least two people died as a result of the accident, and Arkansas Department of Emergency Management spokesman Brandon Morris said multiple injuries have been reported.

About 12 people were treated for injuries at Ozark Health Medical Center in Clinton, hospital administrator David Deaton said. Seven additional people were taken to other hospitals to be treated for their injuries, Deaton said, but the destinations of those patients were unknown. Bradley said all of the injured and dead were construction workers.

While an unknown number of contractors working for Mobley Contractors Inc. of Morrilton were reportedly injured in the accident, highway department spokesman Danny Straessle said highway department crew members who were working on the bridge deck near the accident did not suffer any injuries.

State police said both directions of U.S. 65 is closed in the area while crews remove logs from the road.

Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more on this story.

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