GUNTUR: An oil tanker carrying petrol and diesel from Gajuwaka of Visakhapatnam overturned on NH-16 near Vankayalapadu village under Yedlapadu mandal on Wednesday. The oil tanker was heading towards Kadapa. About 20,000 litres of fuel worth about Rs14 lakh spilled onto the road. The tanker overturned and skidded off the road and entered the service road before coming to a halt. Fuel started spilling from multiple ruptures to the tank caused in the mishap.
The driver informed about the incident to the Fire Services Department. Four fire tenders rushed to the spot and spread foam on the oil to avoid an explosion. The police reached the spot and diverted the traffic near Vankayalapadu village to avoid untoward incidents.
Chilakaluripet Fire Officer S Venugopala Rao said 40 cans of foam was used to prevent flames. He said the water tenders rushed to the spot from Guntur 1 and 2 stations, Narasaraopet and Chilakaluripet.
Chilakaluripet CI U Shoban Babu said the driver might have dozed off in the early hours, resulting in the accident. He said driver Lanka Sivaji escaped with minor injuries.