I-75 Tanker Crash Fire Ellenton Florida Interstate 75 I75
ELLENTON, Fla. - An overturned taker truck completely shut down I-75 for hours and created a traffic nightmare in many parts of Manatee County Wednesday (June 4, 2008). Southbound lanes are still closed.
Around 4pm Wednesday, a fuel tanker truck traveling southbound and approaching exit 224 on Interstate 75 swerved to avoid another vehicle, lost control and drove off the overpass onto U.S. 301, bursting into flames. The I-75 bridge sustained structural damage from the fire and resulted in the closure of both directions of the interstate.
Witnesses of yesterday's crash describe that intense hea and smoke that came from the explosion.
John Dix was working when he saw just yards away the crash happened before his eyes. It s amazing, i have never seen nothing like that. "I turned, and when I turned I see this truck, I see this line of fire, like it's falling down."
He also could hear that fuel tanker bursting into flames. "It's like a lot of thunder...I heard three times, like boom, boom, boom."
"The heat was so dramatic, I felt the heat all the way over here. I thought I was going to have to vacate from this area, " says Larry Akins.
The driver of the tanker truck, 54-year-old Raymond Neumann of Brooksville, was flown to Tampa General Burn Unit with severe burns.
Four other vehicles were involved in the accident, with two drivers suffering minor injuries. A vehicle driving on U.S. 301 was damaged by falling debris from the overpass. The driver was uninjured.
The northbound I-75 lanes only were re-opened at 11:30pm Wednesday night. U.S. 301 is also closed at the overpass.
Southbound interstate traffic is forced to exit at the U.S. 301 exit (exit 224), and directed west on 301, staying on 301 as it heads south across the Manatee River, then heading east on S.R. 64 back to the interstate.
Signs have been posted directing drivers along the detour.
FHP has requested drivers to stay away from the area, including U.S. 41 in downtown Bradenton and Palmetto, if at all possible.
US-301 is experiencing extremely heavy traffic volume at this time due to the detour from I-75 Southbound. We are suggesting that Southbound motorists exit at I-275 Northbound to Exit 2 which is US-41 and then proceed south to SR-64. Motorists can then go eastbound on SR-64 to I-75 southbound.
At the request of the Florida Highway Patrol, the American Red Cross Manatee County Chapter sent a team Wednesday afternoon to Ellenton to feed and hydrate the FHP, Manatee County Sheriff's Office, and other law enforcement. he Red Cross served 130 members of law enforcement until 1am from a mobile response vehicle. The FHP has requested the Manatee County Chapter again today, to feed and hydrate approximately 50 law enforcement personnel.
Length: 56
Rating: 4.80 (6 ratings)
Tags: I-75 Tanker Crash Fire Ellenton Florida Interstate 75 I75
|
Play |
