"Critical Mass" (short story): A stampede is averted

This will easily qualify as among the more forgettable works of Clarke.

Story summary (spoiler).
There is a nuclear research facility in some small town. Local population never quite becomes comfortable with it presence - always fearing the ultimate disaster.

Until, one fine day, a truck carrying crates with unknown contents loses control, & crashes.

Everyone approaching the accident site is seen running away at double quick speed. A little halo is observed around some of the spilled crates. A general stampede is beginning.

And then the nature of leak is revealed, to everyone's relief.

Fact sheet.
Critical Mass, short story, review
Author: Arthur C Clarke
First published: 1957
Rating: C

The story appears in the following collections.

1. "Tales from the White Hart"
2. "The Collected Stories of Arthur C Clarke"