Bajool crash: Massive explosion on Bruce Highway after military tanker crashes in seven car pile-up south of Rockhampton, Queensland
Bajool crash: Massive explosion on Bruce Highway after a military tanker crashes into a seven-car pile-up south of Rockhampton, Queensland
- A seven-car pile-up shut down Bruce Highway
- Emergency services are currently responding
- A military tank is believed to be in the wreckage
An emergency was declared after a massive explosion and fire broke out when a truck carrying a military tank crashed in a seven-car pile-up in Queensland.
Multiple explosions were seen on the Bruce Highway off Comino Road, Bajool, south of Rockhampton at around 11:25 a.m. Wednesday at the scene where trucks, a caravan and other vehicles were involved in the collision.
The fire quickly spread between the cars and to the sides of the road, releasing plumes of smoke that could be seen from afar.
It is unknown how many people in total are involved in the accident, but one person has suffered serious head injuries and five others have been rushed to hospital so far.
Massive explosion and fire have erupted after a military tanker crashed in a seven-car pile-up in Queensland
Multiple explosions were seen on the Bruce Highway at Comino Road, Bajool, south of Rockhampton, around 11:25 a.m. Wednesday
Three vehicles caught fire in the accident, causing horrific smoke to hover over the area.
The Queensland Ambulance Service told ABC that two people are in a stable condition and a third in a serious but stable condition.
A man in his 60s who suffered neck and back injuries and a man in his 30s were both taken to Rockhampton Hospital and are stable.
The military tank is believed to have been riding on the back of a truck involved in the crash.
The railway line near the road has also been closed as grass fires ignited along the road threatened the tracks.
Emergency services have now brought the fire under control, but the Bruce Highway will remain closed for hours.
A 500m exclusion zone has been established in the area around the site and 15 QFES vehicles are on site in addition to the military police.
Queensland Police announced the declaration of emergency under the Public Safety Preservation Act at 12:36 p.m., which lasted until 2:20 p.m.
“The public is asked to avoid the areas within the exclusion zone and to stay inside or in their vehicles,” police said in a statement.
More to come
A 500m exclusion zone has been established in the area around the site and up to nine QFES vehicles are present or en route
While emergency services work to contain the blaze and get people to safety, the Bruce Highway (pictured) has been closed and is expected to stay that way for hours