'The sky was black ... as we drove close'

An oil tanker driver yesterday escaped with minor injuries after his vehicle carrying 4,000 gallons of petrol flipped over and caught fire on the Ras Al Khor Road, police said.

Colonel Rashid Al Matroushi, director of the Civil Defence, said the driver was speeding.

Al Matroushi said: "The driver came down Bu Kadra interchange and was on the Ras Al Khor Road when he lost control of the vehicle, which overturned.

"The tanker has a capacity of 10,000 gallons. Petrol started leaking from the tanker, and because a lot of heat was generated the vehicle caught fire."

A Civil Defence source said: "The accident happened around 4.30pm. Passing motorists stopped and pulled the driver out of the burning vehicle." Police took him to Rashid Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

Al Matroushi said as the petrol started leaking, Civil Defence personnel dug a hole to gather it in one place.

A source said: "The reason the hole was dug was because it would be easy then for another tanker to draw the petrol out."

Amnah, who was driving to Al Ain with her family, said: "As we approached the area, I saw the sky was black. We were sure there was a massive fire. But as we got close, we saw a tanker on fire.

"Within minutes, the road was clogged with vehicles, with motorists stopping to see the vehicle burn. Police patrols and Civil Defence vehicles were at the site in minutes, but they had a tough time negotiating through the sea of vehicles."

There was a massive traffic jam, which spread to adjacent areas.

The fire was put out at 6.30pm.