 
MEDIA STATEMENT
FAST ACTION STOPS DANGER ON ROADThe KZN Department of Transport's Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and the joint Richards Bay and Empangeni Emergency Services successfully averted a potentially hazardous and dangerous incident early this morning when a tanker laden with petrol and diesel overturned in an industrial area. Fast and prompt reaction from RTI and the emergency services resulted in the fuel spillage being timeously contained. At this point it is unclear how much fuel had spilled from the Caltex-owned tanker, which was en route from Durban. And emergency services personnel have reported that there were no petrol fumes recorded, preventing any potential environmental risks. The tanker was carrying 28 000 litres of petrol and 5 000 litres of diesel. Emergency Service's Fire Chief Rassie Erasmus and RTI's Gora Khaki arrived within minutes after the driver of the tanker, Mphumelelo Ngubelanga lost control of the vehicle, thus forcing it to overturn on the R34 between Richards Bay and Empangeni about 500 metres before the John Ross Bridge at approximately 00h30 today. The driver is in a stable condition and is being treated at a local hospital in Richards Bay. He suffered a fractured ankle and sustained cuts and bruises. Mop up operations carried out thus far include a suppression of the fumes; a wet blanket thrown over the spill; an initial resuscitation of the ground; and an empty tanker had been dispatched from Durban to decant the fuel contained in the tanker. Officials from the departments of Water Affairs, Environmental Affairs and Health have been alerted and early this morning were expected to undergo an inspection of the area, and carry out further rehabilitation of the soil and further clean up operations. The road is expected to be closed for up to 10 hours for mop up operations and further investigations. Traffic is being diverted. Emergency services are still on the scene and will remain until the road is finally cleared. RTI officials were busy this morning taking statements from an eye witness and are investigating the speed at which the tanker was travelling, and investigating the possible cause of the crash. Caltex officials on the scene said the company estimated a loss of R2m flowing from this crash.
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