Gas tanker smash causes Bangkok traffic chaos

6 Feb 2012

A gas tanker crashed and overturned on the north side of Bangkok early yesterday morning, causing traffic chaos for the next few hours. Witnesses said that the tanker’s driver seemed to lose control of the vehicle while exiting from a motorway ramp in the Pathum Thani area of the city.

Due to leaking liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and the tanker’s proximity to a major traffic interchange, many of the roads on the north side of the Thai capital were closed. Residents living within 200 metres of the accident site were instructed by emergency personnel not to start fires, cook or turn on electrical appliances as a spark could have ignited the seeping gas.

The LPG was seeping out of a valve on the tanker and from 05:00 onwards fire personnel doused the valve and the area surrounding the lorry to decrease the danger of an explosion. Several people tried to close the damaged valve, but were unable to.

Finally at 11:30, engineers from tanker owners PTT arrived and sealed off the damaged valve. They then hoisted the tanker upright by crane and offloaded the remainder of the LPG into empty tankers they had brought with them.

Almost half of the 15 tons of LPG on board had escaped. The roads were re-opened at 13:00, which allowed the 10km long tailbacks of traffic to start moving again. PTT safety officers are examining the ruptured valve to ascertain why it was damaged in the crash.

An investigation was also under way today to determine whether the accident was a result of a slippery road surface or reckless driving. Police officers said the male driver would probably be looking at charges of criminal damage.

Tags: tanker smash traffic chaos