Fuel tanker overturns, blocking road into Korat

Fuel tanker overturns, blocking road into Korat

Diesel gushes from the overturned tanker, which was carrying 42,000 litres of fuel, on Highway 304 in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khieo district late on Thursday morning. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)
Diesel gushes from the overturned tanker, which was carrying 42,000 litres of fuel, on Highway 304 in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khieo district late on Thursday morning. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

NAKHON RATCHASIMA - A fuel tanker overturned in Wang Nam Khieo district on Thursday, spilling thousands of litres of diesel over the road and causing the closure of inbound lanes to the city.

The driver and his passenger were both injured and were rushed to hospital.

The accident occurred shortly after 11am between kilometre makers 242 and 243 on Highway 304, the Kabin Buri-Nakhon Ratchasima route, in tambon Udomsap, said Pol Lt Col Krajai Pantaku, duty officer at Udomsap police station.

The articulated tanker, with Bangkok licence plates, lay overturned in the middle of the road. It was carrying 42,000 litres of diesel. The tank ruptured, with the fuel gushing out rapidly onto the road.

Nearby residents rushed to collect the fuel in buckets before it flowed into the roadside ditch.

Police declared the area off-limits to people and other vehicles, for fear the tanker might catch fire. Inbound lanes to downtown Nakhon Ratchasima were closed to traffic. One lane was later opened for vehicles heading to Nakhon Ratchasima.  

Investigators said the fuel tanker was travelling from Chon Buri to Khon Kaen. The driver lost control at a curve. The truck ran into the traffic barrier and overturned.

The cleanup was continuing.

The overturned oil tanker lies across the road on Highway 304 in Wang Nam Khieo district, Nakhon Ratchasima, on Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

Nearby residents scoop up the spilled diesel from the road after the tanker overturned in Wang Nam Khieo district, Nakhon Ratchasima on Thursday. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

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