Taiwan Highway 61 Zhongzhang Bridge Section Multi-Vehicle Collision Blocks All Lanes, Estimated to Clear by 3 PM
A five-vehicle collision occurred early this morning on the Zhongzhang Bridge section of Provincial Highway 61, involving a chemical tanker rollover and methyl acetate leakage, injuring three people. All lanes are blocked, with an estimated reopening at 3 PM. The Changhua County Environmental Protection Bureau will issue a fine under the Waste Disposal Act.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 12:26
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 12:31 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 17:17 (4h 45m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Zheng Weizhen, Changhua, April 17) A five-vehicle collision occurred early this morning on the Zhongzhang Bridge section of Provincial Highway 61, the West Coast Expressway. A chemical tanker overturned, spilling methyl acetate onto the road, and three people were injured and sent to the hospital. Both directions of the road are expected to be cleared by 3 PM. The Changhua County Environmental Protection Bureau will issue a fine in accordance with the Waste Disposal Act.
The Hemei Precinct of the Changhua County Police Bureau explained that at around 2 AM, a traffic accident occurred at the 161-kilometer mark of Provincial Highway 61 in Shengang Township, Changhua County. Preliminary investigations revealed that a tractor-trailer driven by a person surnamed Guo, while traveling northbound on Provincial Highway 61, collided with a small truck driven by a person surnamed Zhuang, and then hit the central Jersey barrier, causing the barrier to fall onto the southbound lanes. A chemical tanker driven by a person surnamed Sun, traveling southbound, hit the fallen barrier and overturned, affecting a northbound small truck and a tractor-trailer.
The police stated that the driver surnamed Sun sustained facial injuries and was sent to the hospital for treatment; breathalyzer tests for all drivers involved in the accident showed 0. The Changhua County Fire Department stated that two other injured persons were sent to the hospital, and both were conscious.
Due to the overturned chemical tanker spilling methyl acetate (also known as ethyl acetate) onto the road, the Hemei Branch of the Changhua County Fire Department dispatched a fire robot to dilute the concentration at the scene with water and continued to monitor.
The Central District Maintenance Engineering Branch of the Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, stated that an emergency response team was established at 8:30 AM to fully handle the accident and clear the scene. Subsequent investigations will clarify the responsibility for the accident and handle related claims in accordance with the law.
The Central District Branch stated that because this accident occupied all lanes in both directions of Provincial Highway 61, to reduce congestion, it is recommended that southbound vehicles exit at the Longjing Interchange and take Provincial Highway 17; northbound vehicles exit at the Shengang Interchange and take Provincial Highway 17. The road is expected to be cleared by 3 PM.
The Changhua County Environmental Protection Bureau told the Central News Agency reporter that after receiving the notification, personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. Regarding the tanker rollover and leakage, the Environmental Protection Administration's response team also arrived to assist with the disposal. The flammable liquid methyl acetate is not a controlled toxic substance. The Environmental Protection Bureau will issue a fine of NT$1200 to NT$6000 for the pollution of the road surface in accordance with the Waste Disposal Act. If it is not cleaned up within the time limit, continuous daily penalties will be imposed. (Editors: Li Xizhang) 1150417
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(Central News Agency reporter Zheng Weizhen, Changhua, April 17) A five-vehicle collision occurred early this morning on the Zhongzhang Bridge section of Provincial Highway 61, the West Coast Expressway. A chemical tanker overturned, spilling methyl acetate onto the road, and three people were injured and sent to the hospital. Both directions of the road are expected to be cleared by 3 PM. The Changhua County Environmental Protection Bureau will issue a fine in accordance with the Waste Disposal Act.
The Hemei Precinct of the Changhua County Police Bureau explained that at around 2 AM, a traffic accident occurred at the 161-kilometer mark of Provincial Highway 61 in Shengang Township, Changhua County. Preliminary investigations revealed that a tractor-trailer driven by a person surnamed Guo, while traveling northbound on Provincial Highway 61, collided with a small truck driven by a person surnamed Zhuang, and then hit the central Jersey barrier, causing the barrier to fall onto the southbound lanes. A chemical tanker driven by a person surnamed Sun, traveling southbound, hit the fallen barrier and overturned, affecting a northbound small truck and a tractor-trailer.
The police stated that the driver surnamed Sun sustained facial injuries and was sent to the hospital for treatment; breathalyzer tests for all drivers involved in the accident showed 0. The Changhua County Fire Department stated that two other injured persons were sent to the hospital, and both were conscious.
Due to the overturned chemical tanker spilling methyl acetate (also known as ethyl acetate) onto the road, the Hemei Branch of the Changhua County Fire Department dispatched a fire robot to dilute the concentration at the scene with water and continued to monitor.
The Central District Maintenance Engineering Branch of the Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, stated that an emergency response team was established at 8:30 AM to fully handle the accident and clear the scene. Subsequent investigations will clarify the responsibility for the accident and handle related claims in accordance with the law.
The Central District Branch stated that because this accident occupied all lanes in both directions of Provincial Highway 61, to reduce congestion, it is recommended that southbound vehicles exit at the Longjing Interchange and take Provincial Highway 17; northbound vehicles exit at the Shengang Interchange and take Provincial Highway 17. The road is expected to be cleared by 3 PM.
The Changhua County Environmental Protection Bureau told the Central News Agency reporter that after receiving the notification, personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. Regarding the tanker rollover and leakage, the Environmental Protection Administration's response team also arrived to assist with the disposal. The flammable liquid methyl acetate is not a controlled toxic substance. The Environmental Protection Bureau will issue a fine of NT$1200 to NT$6000 for the pollution of the road surface in accordance with the Waste Disposal Act. If it is not cleaned up within the time limit, continuous daily penalties will be imposed. (Editors: Li Xizhang) 1150417
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