By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

No major injuries were reported Nov. 30 after a car carrying three Shelby County School of Technology students struck an 18-wheeler carrying chemical lime in Alabaster.

The wreck happened at about 2:45 p.m., when a northbound green, four-door Buick collided with the chemical lime truck near the intersection of U.S. 31 and Fulton Springs Road in Alabaster.

The Buick was being driven by 17-year-old Alabaster resident James Walsh, a student at the SOT in Columbiana. Two of Walsh’s friends were also in the car, said Walsh’s mother, Shelly.

“They were going north on 31 coming home from school, and the truck pulled out in front of them. They didn’t have anywhere to go,” Shelly Walsh said, noting the wreck happened in front of the Carmeuse Lime plant. “According to a guy from (the) Kirkland (trucking company), the truck was carrying hydrated lime.”

The impact wedged the Buick beneath the middle of the truck, and crushed the front portion of the car’s roof.

After the wreck occurred, Alabaster firefighter Wes Ross, who was following Walsh on U.S. 31, quickly jumped out and helped the three students out of the Buick. Shortly thereafter, the car burst into flames, Shelly Walsh said.

“If you look at the car, it’s a miracle they survived,” Shelly Walsh said, noting the students were treated and released from the hospital a few hours after the wreck. “They all three walked away. Other than a few cuts and bruises, they were fine.”