Driver dies after tanker overturned and exploded; big fire engulfs everything around explosion site

A man was burnt to death after a road oil tanker carrying diesel caught fire at the Medan Jaya traffic light, Kidurong Road at around noon yesterday.

Bintulu police chief Superintendent Zailanni Amit, in a statement, said the oil tanker was coming from the direction of Kidurong and was about to turn to the right to Tanjung Batu before it veered off the road and hit a road divider.

He said the tanker then overturned and exploded, resulting in a big fire that engulfed everything around it, including five vehicles and a motorcycle on the opposite direction at the traffic light junction. Zailanni said the charred body of the driver was found under a pickup truck next to the tanker. The police have identified the tanker driver as Martin Joshua, 30.

In a statement from Kuala Lumpur, Shell Malaysia confirmed that their third-party road tanker was involved in the fatal accident. The company said they were deeply saddened to learn of the incident and their hearts go out to the victims and their families.

It assured that they have mobilised their resources and are working with the authorities to provide immediate assistance to the emergency teams and would give full cooperation to the investigations.

Zailanni said other motorists involved were not injured and only a motorcyclist sustained minor injury.

Meanwhile, Bintulu Fire and Rescue Department station chief Dihata Gobel said Bomba received a distress call at 11.53am and 10 personnel in two fire engines were rushed to the scene, arriving there five minutes later.

The fire was put out around 12.50pm.

Tanjung Batu assemblyman Chiew Ching Sing, who was met at the scene, urged the authorities to find out the cause of the accident.

“It is so bad and we are very sympathetic towards the person who died in this accident.

“This kind of accident can be minimised by studying the cause of the incident because it is very horrifying, just think of the people who were just now in the car trying to get away from this sudden fire,” said Chiew

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Yunus Yussop

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