Hydrogen tanker crashes and explodes on freeway in Changhua City

A hydrogen tanker crashed on an elevated section of National Freeway 3 in Changhua City, killing the driver, and causing a massive explosion after the tank unit plunged more than 20 meters onto a road below.

At around 12:20 am, the southbound tanker crashed into the guardrail on a ring ramp leading to Freeway 1 at the Changhua System interchange.

The impact of the crash caused the tank unit to separate from the chassis of the vehicle. The tank unit fell more than 20 meters onto Qilai Road and exploded.

Witnesses reported multiple explosions which could be heard up to two kilometers away.

The 37-year-old driver, named Tsai, was also thrown from the cabin and fell onto the roadway below. Tsai was found obviously dead, with multiple fractures and burns, and was not sent to hospital.

Residents in surrounding districts were awoken by the explosions. Seeing flames in the distance, some people wondered if Taiwan had been subject to a missile strike.

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