Goo on turnpike disables vehicles [Capital (Annapolis, MD)]

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A flood of gooey muck dropped from a tanker truck disabled more than 100 cars and damaged an unknown number of other vehicles along a nearly 40-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, officials said.

A leaking valve on a tanker spread driveway sealant over the eastbound lanes of a long stretch of the Turnpike between New Castle and the Oakmont Service Plaza last night, Turnpike spokesman Bill Capone said.

Turnpike operations officials said 150 or more cars were disabled when the sticky goo covered their tires and wheels. Some state police and turnpike maintenance vehicles had to be towed away after getting stuck in the tar-like substance, according to the turnpike operations center.

The sticky mess hindered the travel plans of some motorists traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Retired firefighter Bob King told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review the experience was the most harrowing of his life.

"It caught us off guard," said King, who now lives near Chicago. "It didn't seem like anyone knew what it was or what to do. It had to be an incredible amount of tar. It's still piled on my tires."

Capone said turnpike workers began the cleanup by peeling up the sticky puddles, then covering them with sand to hasten drying. Traffic was moving normally by this morning.

Turnpike officials urged motorists whose cars were damaged to call its operations center at 1-800-331-3414. Capone said the turnpike will take drivers' information to help with filing insurance claims.