A tractor-trailer collision on the New Jersey Turnpike in East Brunswick at around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, resulted in a fire and explosions, sent one of the drivers to the hospital with what was initially described by state police as minor burn injuries, and caused massive traffic delays.
According to reports, the tractor-trailer in the right lane, carrying medical supplies including oxygen, sideswiped the tractor-trailer in the center lane, which was carrying paper. Both caught fire and were gutted. The driver of the truck in the center lane was hospitalized. The other driver was said to be uninjured.
Some motorists on the turnpike provided social media video that illustrated the backup of vehicles as well as bright flames and thick black smoke from the resulting fire.
Additional information and some of the video posts are online at http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Tractor-Trailer-Explodes-on-NJ-Turnpike-321661822.html#ixzz3ihbUbPbd and http://abc7ny.com/traffic/2-nb-lanes-still-closed-after-nj-turnpike-truck-collision-in-east-brunswick/925460/
For Information on mitigating incidents involving heavy trucks, consult the following:
“Heavy-Truck Extrication: Truck Types and Hazard Identification,” by Steve White, at
“Hazmat Survival Tips: 10 Initial Response Considerations for First Responders,”
by Steven De Lisi at
http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2009/11/hazmat-survival-tips.html.
