A group of three truckers have been credited with saving the life of a fellow truck driver when his gasoline tanker crashed and caught fire early this morning in Michigan.
The crash happened just after 3 a.m. in Casco Township. Police say that the tanker truck driver was hauling 8,000 gallons of gasoline on northbound I-196 as he attempted to make the turn from the Exit 26 off-ramp to 109th Avenue.
During the exit, the driver lost control and the tanker overturned and caught fire. The truck driver was ejected and landed just outside the cab of his truck.
As the fire spread, three truck drivers passing by stopped their rigs and got out to help. Together, they were able to drag the tanker truck driver away from the burning wreckage.
South Haven Area Emergency Services Chief Ron Wise praised the quick action of the truckers for their action: “When they turned and looked back, where he was laying was totally engulfed in flames. These are truly three lifesavers that stopped by and made a difference in his life.”
The tanker truck driver was transported to the hospital with non life threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported.
Wise went on to say, “They truly saved his life today. It’s a true blessing for this gentleman not to have perished in the fire.”
The driver of this tanker was hauling 8,500 gallons of gas when he tipped over on the Pullman Rd ramp from I-196 and caught fire. pic.twitter.com/GnLqFjLgYk
— Jessica Wheeler (@jessicawheeler3) November 21, 2016
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.
Sources:
WZZM 13
Wood TV
The Detroit News