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15 June 2023
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Driver dies as petrol tanker loses control and caught fire on the N1 highway in Tshwane
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A driver of a petrol tanker was burnt beyond recognition after the tanker he was driving lost control and caught fire on the N1 highway direction north near Botha Avenue in Centurion in Tshwane. The Tshwane Emergency Services Department received the call at approximately 18h39 on 5 June 2023 and immediately despatched multiple fire fighting and support resources to the scene. Fire fighters could see the smoke and flames from several kilometres away from the incident and could hear multiple explosions as they were approaching the scene.
Tshwane dispatched two fire engines, two water tankers, a ladder truck a mobile command unit and multiple support vehicles to manage the scene and fight the fire.
Upon arrival at the scene, fire fighters found a tanker that was lying on its side and engulfed by fire. They, together with law enforcement agencies and other emergency medical services immediately closed off the N1 direction south and north between Botha Avenue and the R21/N1 Flying Saucer interchange.
Human remains believed to be of the driver were burnt beyond recognition in the cab of the tanker. The fire was subsequently extinguished once the fire in the ruptured and badly damaged tank was under control. The tanker was reported to have been carrying for 40 000 litres 93 octane petrol at the time of the accident.
A City of Tshwane environmental management practitioner and spill cleaning company were also activated. Water drainage systems were closed to contain the runoff before the fire was doused of with fire fighting foam from two hose lines and a master stream from an industrial fire fighting engine.
The scene was handed over to the South African Polices Services crush scene investigators to investigate the cause of the accident.
Source: Thabo Charles Mabaso, deputy chief: public information and liaison officer, City of Tshwane Emergency Services
Tshwane dispatched two fire engines, two water tankers, a ladder truck a mobile command unit and multiple support vehicles to manage the scene and fight the fire.
Upon arrival at the scene, fire fighters found a tanker that was lying on its side and engulfed by fire. They, together with law enforcement agencies and other emergency medical services immediately closed off the N1 direction south and north between Botha Avenue and the R21/N1 Flying Saucer interchange.
Human remains believed to be of the driver were burnt beyond recognition in the cab of the tanker. The fire was subsequently extinguished once the fire in the ruptured and badly damaged tank was under control. The tanker was reported to have been carrying for 40 000 litres 93 octane petrol at the time of the accident.
A City of Tshwane environmental management practitioner and spill cleaning company were also activated. Water drainage systems were closed to contain the runoff before the fire was doused of with fire fighting foam from two hose lines and a master stream from an industrial fire fighting engine.
The scene was handed over to the South African Polices Services crush scene investigators to investigate the cause of the accident.
Source: Thabo Charles Mabaso, deputy chief: public information and liaison officer, City of Tshwane Emergency Services
