I-78 Reopens In Clinton, New Jersey

CLINTON, NJ - All lanes of I-78 have reopened after an accident involving a box truck and a tanker truck near Exit 15 in Clinton.

The final wesbound lanes opened late Thursday morning.  Eastbound lanes had reopened earlier after being closed for hours.

Compressed liquid oxygen was leaking from the tanker, creating a potentially dangerous  situation.  The tanker was carrying 4,000 pounds of oxygen.

Nearby businesses, including two diners and the Clinton Truck Stop, were evacuated as a precaution because officials worried about a potential explosion.

The driver of the box truck was flown to Morristown with leg and pelvis injuries. The tanker driver was taken to Hunterdon Medical Center with minor injuries.

The back-up reached six miles at one point.

All of the liquid oxygen was transfered to another truck before the lanes reopened.