Advertisement

Acid truck crash closes road to Stuttgart Airport

Author thumbnail
Acid truck crash closes road to Stuttgart Airport
Photo: DPA

Motorists heading for Stuttgart Airport on Thursday morning were told to take the train instead after a tanker truck of acid crashed into a truck carrying petrol on a nearby motorway, blocking it completely in both directions.

Advertisement

Police said the 43-year-old driver of the acid truck failed to see the end of a queue of traffic late on Wednesday and hit the petrol truck. Both tanks were torn open and thousands of litres of petrol and acetic acid leaked out.

Around 70 fire fighters were brought to the scene, including specialists who tried to pump the leaked acid into a holding tank. Some of the leaked petrol made its way into the sewerage system, prompting fears of a dangerous build-up of explosive gases.

The acid truck driver was badly injured and was taken to hospital. The 51-year-old driver of the patrol truck escaped with minor injuries.

Traffic was redirected on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, yet jams measuring several kilometres swiftly built up along the alternative routes.

Access to Stuttgart Airport is massively hindered, with police advising those who have to catch a flight, to take a train to the airport.

DPA/hc

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also