Police have issued 26 defect notices to the trucking company involved in the horrible fuel tanker crash which took place on Tuesday in Sydney. This devastating accident is an example of why everyone involved in the chain of responsibility needs to do their part to ensure road safety.
Emergency crews worked tirelessly on the crash on Sydney’s northern beaches early this week to remove the charred remains of the tanker.
The accident took place on Mona Vale Road where it ploughed through four cars and unto a power pole. It then caught alight, causing the death of 2 men and caused injury to 6 others.
The company’s vehicles were inspected and at least 26 major defects were found and notices issued from 12 vehicles involved in the inspection. The defects were for offences ranging from suspension faults, wheel and brake problems.
According to media reports, RMS and police are inspecting more than 80 fleet vehicles from Cootes Transport, which have been directed to checking stations in Sydney and Newcastle. An article on News.com.au explained,
RMS has previously said that the inspections “will inform a decision on whether or not other vehicles in the Cootes’ fleet will be subject to roadworthiness inspections”.
In a statement, Cootes said it would “cooperate fully” with investigations into the incident. Source: http://www.news.com.au
Although authorities haven’t yet determined what caused the truck to lose control and overturn before igniting into flames, it is suspected to be either a mechanic failure or driver error. There are any number of things that could have gone wrong which led to this accident by causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The post on News.com.au explains,
“We’re investigating why the truck was out of control what the lead up to the crash was, whether that was driver error or a mechanical failure,” AsstCmmr Hartley told AAP.
“Obviously gear failure, brake failure, all those sorts of things could stop a truck from pulling up.”
He said the investigation would take “many weeks”, and that police were still waiting on the return of blood and urine tests from the driver.
Police believe the truck appeared to have lost control, hit a power pole and four other cars before turning on its side and dousing the road in fuel.
It’s likely the huge explosion that followed was caused by a spark from the friction of the crash.
Tragically 2 elderly men were killed in the incident, a 73 year old from Turramurra and a 71 year old from Western Australia, both were in the Subaru also involved in the accident. 2 Women also elderly, aged 67 and 72 are lucky to be alive and in a stable condition while another man is in a serious condition in hospital.
The truck driver is also lucky to be alive and is recovering at Royal North Shore Hospital, he is in a stable condition.
Accidents involving fuel tankers are always more dangerous and messy than other types of heavy vehicle accidents because of the risk of fires and explosions. The clean-up is normally also more complicated and costly. This accident led to 300 litres of petrol being spilled onto the road during the accident and the process of lifting the truck up off its side. An unknown amount of petrol is also believed to have entered local drains. The clean-up is expected to take several days.
RMS has previously said that the inspections “will inform a decision on whether or not other vehicles in the Cootes’ fleet will be subject to roadworthiness inspections”.
In a statement, Cootes said it would “cooperate fully” with investigations into the incident. Source: http://www.news.com.au
Although authorities haven’t yet determined what caused the truck to lose control and overturn before igniting into flames, it is suspected to be either a mechanic failure or driver error. There are any number of things that could have gone wrong which led to this accident by causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The post on News.com.au explains,
“We’re investigating why the truck was out of control what the lead up to the crash was, whether that was driver error or a mechanical failure,” AsstCmmr Hartley told AAP.
“Obviously gear failure, brake failure, all those sorts of things could stop a truck from pulling up.”
He said the investigation would take “many weeks”, and that police were still waiting on the return of blood and urine tests from the driver.
Police believe the truck appeared to have lost control, hit a power pole and four other cars before turning on its side and dousing the road in fuel.
It’s likely the huge explosion that followed was caused by a spark from the friction of the crash.
Tragically 2 elderly men were killed in the incident, a 73 year old from Turramurra and a 71 year old from Western Australia, both were in the Subaru also involved in the accident. 2 Women also elderly, aged 67 and 72 are lucky to be alive and in a stable condition while another man is in a serious condition in hospital.
The truck driver is also lucky to be alive and is recovering at Royal North Shore Hospital, he is in a stable condition.
Accidents involving fuel tankers are always more dangerous and messy than other types of heavy vehicle accidents because of the risk of fires and explosions. The clean-up is normally also more complicated and costly. This accident led to 300 litres of petrol being spilled onto the road during the accident and the process of lifting the truck up off its side. An unknown amount of petrol is also believed to have entered local drains. The clean-up is expected to take several days. 