Three injured, highway closed after chemical tanker crash and fire

Three people were injured, two critically, after a chemical tanker carrying isoocytl acrylate crashed into a stationary dump truck at high speed on the West Coast Expressway (Highway 61) in Changhua County today, May 8.

Changhua County Fire Bureau responded to reports at 10:59 am, dispatching 16 fire trucks, 4 ambulances, and 36 personnel to the scene of the accident.

Highway traffic monitor footage showed that the 17 ton dump truck, was temporarily stopped on the side of the road when the tanker slammed into it at full speed.

The cabin of the tanker disintegrated, but miraculously, the 45-year-old driver was not seriously hurt, and was treated for lacerations to his arm.

The 51-year-old driver and 67-year-old passenger in the dump truck, however, were both seriously injured, and suffered second and third degree burns as well as fractures and other injuries. Both remain in an intensive care unit at Changhua Christian Hospital.

Firefighters had the blaze under control after around 30 minutes, and the fire was finally extinguished at 11:41 am. However, the accident caused complete blockage of the northbound lanes, and due to the hazardous materials leaking from the tanker, traffic was temporarily blocked in both directions during the cleanup.

Damage caused to the road surface by the fire also required emergency re-pavement repairs, and the northbound lanes are expected to be closed until later tonight.

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