Petrol Tanker Driver Dies After Vehicle Catches Fire on N1 in Centurion, Body Burnt Beyond Recognition

• The Centurion petrol tanker crash and explosion claimed the life of the tanker driver
• The driver was transporting 40 000 litres of petrol when he lost control of the tanker
• Firefighters and emergency personnel found the driver's body in the tanker burnt beyond recognition

PRETORIA - The driver of a petrol tanker died in a fiery blaze after he lost control of the vehicle when it caught on fire on the N1 north in Centurion.

The incident happened on Monday night, 5 June and resulted in the highway being closed in both directions between Botha Avenue and the R21/N1 Flying Saucer interchange.

The tanker reportedly carried 40 000 litres of 93-octane petrol when the driver lost control, SowetanLIVE reported.

Centurion petrol tanker crash could be seen kilometres away

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Tshwane emergency spokesperson Charles Mabaso said firefighting and emergency resources were sent to recover the scene.

The emergency services personnel could reportedly see smoke and fire several kilometres away. Explosions could also allegedly be heard as they drew nearer to the scene, TimesLIVE reported.

Mabaso said the remains believed to belong to the driver were found inside the tanker cab burnt beyond recognition.

The scene has been handed over to police crash scene investigators to uncover the cause of the crash.

South Africans mourn death of petrol tanker driver

Below are some comments:

Raheemah Busisiwe Ditshego wished:

"Horrific, may his soul rest in peace and condolences to his loved ones."

Ngovhela Sibasa added:

"Dangerous job indeed."

Sduduzo Ntombela asked:

"You mean there was not even a single chance of escape? Eish condolences to his family... We all know he was working hard to put food on the table for his kids, now they're going to starve."

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Ras Magosi St. Magakwe commented:

"What a horrible way to die."

Elizabeth Blanche said:

"Sorry to hear that, my heartfelt condolences to the brokenhearted family, God will comfort you in this time of your lost."

Germiston residents siphoned fuel from overturned fuel tanker: “Did Boksburg teach them nothing?” SA asked

In another story, Briefly News reported that Germiston residents had to be dragged away from the scene of a diesel tanker crash only two weeks after the deadly Boksburg explosion.

The diesel tanker was swarmed by opportunistic onlookers trying to steal some of the 300 000 litres of diesel from the overturned truck in Wadeville, Ekurhuleni.

According to Ekurhuleni EMS spokesperson William Nladi, the tanker started spilling copious amounts of diesel when the trail came unhooked, News24 reported.

Source: Briefly News