One killed,one hurt as LPG tanker hits trailer,explodes

Kasara police said the accident took place around 7.45 am on Kasara Ghat stretch and the explosion around 25 minutes later.

Police identified the deceased as Virendra Thakur.

Eyewitnesses told police that the tanker and the trailer were travelling in the same direction when the trailer suddenly braked,causing the accident. Police are on the lookout for the trailer driver.

“A team of eight policemen was on a routine nakabandi at the Ghat when they received a call from the police station about the accident. They went to the spot and noticed that gas had started leaking from the tanker. There were two small explosions at this time. The team stopped traffic from both ends of the highway,” said Thane Rural Police SP Anil Kumbhare.

Around 25 minutes after the accident,the tanker exploded as the LPG apparently caught a spark from the engine,police said. The flames spread 700-800 metres and a motorist who was standing next to his Maruti Omni suffered 50 per cent burns.

“Traffic movement was restored to normal around 1.30 pm. A probe is on,” said DSP (Shahpur division) Prakash Wagunde.

A reward of Rs 20,000 was declared for the eight policemen,he said.