Cops stop leaking tanker

2003-12-09 16:02

Durban - Two traffic officers were admitted to Durban's St Anne's Hospital for overnight observation after being exposed to toxic liquid on Tuesday, Durban traffic officials said.

The two officers were conducting a speed timing exercise along the N3 at the Balgowan off-ramp when they became aware of the smell of gas in the air, departmental spokesperson Colin Govender said.

He said the two officers noticed the gas smell after a tanker drove past them.

The traffic officers packed up their exercise, and stopped the tanker at Nottingham Road. The two officers found the tanker contained ethanol liquid.

The liquid ethanol vaporises rapidly, forming toxic fumes which can be absorbed through the eyes, air passages, digestive system and skin.

It was leaking from three valves under the main tank, Govender said.

He said the officers stopped traffic, and called experts from the fire and environmental affairs departments. An expert from Hazchem was summoned to the scene.

The seepage was contained and the vehicle was taken off the N3 to a safe location were the experts managed to seal the valves, which had perished.

The tanker was declared safe to travel after consultation with all the relevant departments, he said.

- SAPA