Two people killed as horror fuel truck blaze causes carnage
Two people have been killed and a third hurt after a fuel truck was engulfed in flames in a horror pile-up on a major road today.
The dramatic fuel blaze has closed a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike after a tanker truck caught fire[1] just before 11am local time in a fiery, multi-vehicle smash.
The Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Montgomery County has been closed off by authorities. All lanes of the highway are shut between the Mid-County and Lansdale exits and will be for a long time. Drivers stuck in the traffic jam caused by the closure are being urged to remain in their vehicles.
(
Hector Lucena)
It was initially reported that the driver suffered serious head and burn injuries after he was initially trapped in the vehicle. Sources have since confirmed two people have been killed and a third person injured. It is unclear how the incident occurred or what caused the tanker to catch fire. Police, fire, and ambulances are all currently at the scene.
Towamencin Township Police Department said in a statement: "The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has initiated Plan X due to an accident on the Northeast Extension. Officers are seeing increased traffic in the area due to this closure. Please use caution and be patient when coming through the area."
(
Hector Lucena)
Shocking footage from the scene appears to show dozens of debris strewn across the road as emergency services attend to the scene. Glass, rubbish, and parts of the tanker appear to be all over the road as the fire rages across the motorway. Motorists are being asked to avoid the area while firefighters try and get the blaze under control. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said in a tweet: "Turnpike Planned Detour on I-476 PA Turnpike southbound between Exit 31 - PA 63 and Exit 20 - Pennsylvania Turnpike I-276 affecting all lanes."
(
Hector Lucena)
Some drivers are being turned around by police, who are using an emergency access gate at mile marker 23. Local news site Action News reports concrete barriers are being removed to allow cars to turn around.
Motorists driving past the scene have uploaded to Twitter[3] pictures and videos of the devastating fire. There are expected to be huge delays following the blaze.
(
Hector Lucena)
Driver Hector Lucena posted a video on social media, showing him driving past the burning truck as emergency services arrive amid the massive flames. He is heard saying: "My god. Debris all over the place. What happened here?"
Local TV stations are showing footage of the truck with its cab now burnt to a crisp. The charred remains of two other cars are also shown. Firefighters can be seen spraying foam on the tanker.
(
Hector Lucena)
The incident comes just months after a hit-and-run crash spilled ice cream over the Pennsylvania Turnpike in September. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the driver of a truck tractor hit the driver of a Freightliner truck. The crash caused the Freightliner truck to roll over onto its side, spilling the ice cream.
Officers said the truck driver fled the scene before being quickly apprehended. The Freightliner driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The right lane of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was closed for more than six hours as crews cleaned up the ice cream.