BREAKING: Hwy. 61 North shut down at Yazoo River Bridge

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.

Officials have reopened the roads.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.

The tanker truck involved in the accident was owned by Sindle Trucking based in El Dorado, Ark., according to WCEMA Director Elfer, not Vortex Corp. as previously reported.

UPDATE 2 p.m.

Officials are estimating that the roads will open around 3:30 p.m.

UPDATE 12:15 p.m.:

Highways 61 and 465 are shut down in the area, probably for many hours. Hwy. 61 is backed up at the Redwood exit.

The 18-wheeler belongs to the Ohio-based Vortex Corp. It was traveling south on U.S. Hwy 61 North headed toward the harbor project.

When it struck the farm tractor, the collision caused a gash in the tank, which is leaking a petroleum hydro carbonate distillate. It is still leaking.

John Elfer from the Warren County Emergency Management Agency is on the scene.

Although there is a strong, putrid odor, it apparently presents no immediate danger to area residents.

U.S. Hwy. 61 North is shut down at Hwy. 465 at the Yazoo River Bridge due to a chemical spill.  Avoid the area.

Early reports indicate an 18-wheeler hit a farm tractor at the northern tip of the Yazoo bridge, spinning the tractor around. The truck is supposedly leaking a petroleum-based product. No injuries have been reported.

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