February 25, 2005

Loaded coal truck overturns in Nicholas

By Matthew Hill/REGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

Excessive speed and a sharp curve may have combined to cause a loaded coal truck to overturn Thursday in Nicholas County, police said.

Sgt. Jim Evans of the Nicholas Sheriff's Department said Christopher Schilling of Whipple, Ohio, was heading west on W.Va. 39 near Canvas when his trailer overturned about 1:30 p.m. The trailer blocked the westbound lane for just under an hour and a load of coal was strewn across the berm of the road.

"I would say that he was probably going too fast," Evans said. "One tire was blown out on the passenger side of the trailer, and one of the suspension air bags was busted. I don't know if that was the cause, or the effect, of the tip-over. The trailer started to roll over, and it just pulled the truck over with him. It's a sharp curve right there."

The scene was cleared shortly after 4 p.m. Evans said Schilling refused medical treatment, despite having an elbow abrasion. No one was cited in the accident, but it remains under investigation by Evans.

Officials from the state Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection were at the scene to oversee the coal cleanup.

Summersville firefighters also provided assistance.