Propane fumes filled the air this morning on Highway 88 East of Jefferson as firefighters and rescue squad personnel responded to a call of overturned truck near Country Ridge Road shortly before noon.

According to firefighters, the driver of the truck told authorities that he dropped off the shoulder of the highway and over corrected causing him to lose control of the truck, which eventually came to rest off the side of the road down an embankment.

The driver of the truck refused medical transport.

It appeared as if the truck tore through the guardrail on its way down the embankment.

Officials were able to seal the leak from the truck’s tank and did not have to evacuate the area as a result.

Traffic was detoured through Low Gap Road on Hwy 88 to allow authorities to clear the area.

Laurel Springs, Glendale Springs, and Jefferson firefighters responded to the scene.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation.

Additional information concerning the accident will be posted as it is made available.