All roads at the scene of the tanker truck accident in Dahlonega were opened late Sunday afternoon, according to the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office.
The roads had been closed since late Saturday night when the truck, which was hauling oxygen, wrecked, and oxygen began leaking from the tanker. That prompted a mandatory evacuation of nearby Chestatee Regional Hospital and a "suggested" evacuation of all people within a one-third mile radius of the accident.
Patients and staff were allowed to return to the hospital late Sunday morning. Nine of them had been housed at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, according medical center spokesman Sean Couch.
"We would like to thank LC Sheriff’s Office, LC EMS and all volunteers who worked on this accident," says a posting on Chestatee's Facebook page. "Our staff here at Chestatee Regional Hospital also deserve a huge amount of thanks for going above and beyond to ensure the safety of our patients. We never wish for these unfortunate accidents to take place, but today’s events prove that our Emergency Preparedness Plans, Staff and Leadership team here at Chestatee Regional Hospital are well educated, trained and equipped to handle these situations with great efficiency and care."
