Hydrochloric acid spill closed B.C. highway

Traffic is rolling again on Highway 5 in B.C.'s Central Interior after a truck crash dumped hydrochloric and phosphoric acid on the route just before noon on Sunday.

Investigators say the crash happened just north of Clearwater when a minivan turned into the path of the tanker truck that was overtaking it, causing the truck and trailer to turn over and rupture the tank.

Clearwater Mayor John Harwood says crews managed to keep the corrosive acids from reaching the nearby Raft River, but the highway was closed until 2 a.m. Monday as the hazardous mess was cleaned up.

RCMP say the driver of the van suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, and two passengers were slightly hurt.

The semi driver was uninjured.