Truck laden with LPG cylinders hits tree

our Correspondent

DIGBOI April 9:  The residences along the NH-38 near Ultapool area in Digboi had a rrow escape on Sunday after a truck laden with LPG cylinders collided against a tree along the said roadside, thereby averting a serious catastrophe in the area.

According to eye witness, a commercial truck bearing registration number AS01 BC 1362, after loading the LPG cylinders from the nearby AOD Gopeneri Bottling Plant, started moving on NH 38 and while heading towards Tinsukia, suddenly hit a huge mango tree along the roadside. The hazardous and highly inflammable materials in the ill-fated vehicle spilled out with a big bang resembling an explosion.

Meanwhile, the residents of the locality immediately called for the fire tender and Digboi Police.  The driver of the vehicle was immediately rushed to Tinsukia Civil Hospital. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. However, the people of Gopeneri Bottling Plant area said that mushrooming wine shops and dhabas selling illegal liquor  along the highways near the bottling plant had became a common shelter for the drivers and the vehicle staff to drink, dine and relax till the trucks get loaded in the plant. Police investigation is going on.