Effingham County coroner’s office has confirmed five people were killed and another five were airlifted to a hospital after a semi-truck crashed and leaked anhydrous ammonia Friday night. Three local residents died and two people from out of state died, the coroner’s office said, but it was not clear if the deaths were a result of the crash or the leak. The area surrounding the crash was evacuated. So far, there is no indication of when residents can return to their homes. High levels of ammonia can cause lung damage and be fatal. Ammonia also burns the skin, mouth, throat, lungs and eyes. Overnight, part of the accident was cleaned up, which slowed but did not stop the ammonia leakage. Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns says the crash has caused “terribly dangerous air conditions.”
