Cumberland County, NC – A stretch of a Interstate 95 was shut down for hours on Wednesday after a crash involving a van and a semi-truck hauling a “radioactive” load.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), the crash occurred along southbound I-95 at approximately 11:30 a.m.

While thankfully no injuries were reported, travelers got a scare when police arrived to the scene and asked them to exit their vehicles due to a possible spill of hazardous materials (HAZMAT).

The semi was hauling canisters of uranium hexafluoride, a radioactive compound used to enrich uranium and can be used to make fuel for nuclear power plants.

According to local news outlet ABC 11, authorities shut down all lanes as a HAZMAT emergency response crew worked to secure the area.

Fortunately, there were no leaks reported.

However, drivers were not allowed back into their vehicles until the all clear was given.

Officials were able to get traffic flowing again by 2 p.m., but delays are expected to continue into the evening.

Photo courtesy ABC11

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