Trucker Dies in Burning Wreck

A truck with a trailer was traveling on a two-lane gravel packed road when the passenger-side wheels went over onto the soft shoulder. The driver attempted to steer the truck back onto the road and the truck’s load shifted. The truck overturned and skidded on its side down the roadway. Then a fire started in or near the cab, fueled by gasoline spilled in the wreck.

Two other drivers came upon the scene. One radioed the police. Both stopped and approached the overturned truck. At first they thought no one could have survived the crash, but as they tried to pry open the cab doors, they heard the injured driver speaking.

A fuel tank then erupted in flames and the rescuers were forced to retreat. Police arrived and tried to fight the fire with small extinguishers. A forestry fire truck then arrived and put out the fire. The truck driver was eventually found dead in the burned cab.

Investigation showed the victim had some experience as a truck driver but was new on this job. The truck, including the brakes, had recently been serviced. No alcohol was involved.

When you are operating machinery, including a motor vehicle, you must be alert every second. Even a momentary lapse of attention can lead to a crash such as this.