PEA RIDGE — A load of steel beams spilled in a ditch Friday while being delivered to Pea Ridge High School for construction of the new multipurpose facility.

John Walter, of Pinnacle Structures of Cabot, was driving the 18-wheeler eastbound on Arkansas Highway 72 at Sugar Creek when the load spilled. The truck went into the ditch, then the trailer swerved into the westbound lane, striking a 1989 Ford, before emptying itself into the ditch.

“There were no injuries, they were very lucky,” said Cpl. Jana Cordes of the Arkansas State Police.

Walter’s load was one of three on its way to the school.

Walter said the steel would be loaded onto another truck and taken to Cabot to be inspected.

Jan Albright, project superintendent for Baldwin and Shell Construction, on Monday said this will not hinder the construction process, because workers are a little ahead on steel deliveries to date.

News, Pages 1 on 04/27/2011