| A massive boulder and other rocks came tumbling down the hillside approximately two-tenths of a mile north of New Martinsville, blocking W.Va. 2 for about an hour Tuesday morning and restricting it to one lane for most of the day.
Wetzel County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Adams said at approximately 6:45 a rock slide came down on W.Va. 2, hitting a truck travelling south. The rocks hit the driver’s side of the truck, pushed it against the guard rail, pummeled rock through windshield, and busted the left front tire. Overall the truck sustained heavy damage, but no one was injured. Also, a vehicle travelling north on W.Va. 2 was unable to stop in time and hit the massive pile of debris. It only sustained minor damages to the front bumper but no injuries were reported. Randy Rush, Wetzel County Department of Highways Superintendent, said his crew arrived at the scene in at 7:10 a.m. By 7:45 a.m. one lane was open for traffic. The largest boulder was approximately 10 feet by 20 feet and the total debris weighed an estimated 80 tons, according to Rush. The DOH will stockpile the rocks they removed from the scene and use them for fill as needed. Rush said he believes the slide was caused by the heavy rain Monday evening. Other officials responding to the incident were Bruce Smith of the New Martinsville Police Department and the New Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department. |
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