Overturned 18-wheeler closes I-85 northbound in Belmont
Interstate 85 northbound in Belmont was closed for five hours on Thursday after a wreck involving an overturned tractor-trailer, the state Department of Transportation said.
The wreck happened at about 1:30 p.m. just before exit 27. All lanes were reported open at 6:30 p.m., although heavy congestion remained, highway officials said.
The driver was trapped for several hours in the truck after it overturned and went down an embankment, WBTV, the Observer’s news partner, reported.
A medical helicopter was called and landed on the interstate, the station reported.
Charlotte firefighters assisted Belmont firefighters in freeing the driver. Firefighters had to be decontaminated after freeing the driver because of poison oak at the scene.
CharlotteFire assisting BelmontFD with Pin In; FF had to be decontaminated after freeing patient due to poison oak. pic.twitter.com/tnqa1U0jy1
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) August 25, 2016
The two right lanes were blocked at first, but state highway officials announced at 2 p.m. that all lanes were closed.
As an alternate, take exit 26 and turn left at the top of the ramp. Turn right at the next stop light, at Main Street. Proceed to the next stop light and turn left onto U.S. 74 east (Wilkinson Boulevard).
Joe Marusak: 704-358-5067, @jmarusak
This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Overturned 18-wheeler closes I-85 northbound in Belmont."