Flatbed Hauling Propane Tanks in Massive Crash

Wow, where's the love of G-d in that situation? I know, it doesn't work that way. I'm sure the tanks were empty, or they would have blown sky high and the fire was truck related. The load does look a bit iffy.

 

That is how theyre normally hauled and is legal. The crane truck rounds up old tanks and brings back to base [theres a tank shop a mile from us and im worried it was them] and they flare off the residual gas then rework em.

Im thinking the heat of the cab fire raised the pressure in the forward tanks until the relief valves gassed off and made flame throwers.

Those folks could use some prayers.

 

You don't think these were full, do you? I've never seen full ones hauled like that. I think full ones would be more of a hazard. If these were full, be more of a scene.

 

Wow man....

 

If they were all new reworked tanks theyd have perfect matching paint and be fully empty so we can assume theyre used tanks headed from various collection yards back to a single tank shop for rework/recert.

In that case we would have to suspect leftover gas, maybe lots of it. The two tanks by the drivers door arent deformed but theyre surely gonna blow gas into the fireball out of their melted relief valves until empty.

If they couldnt vent theyd rupture. Im not seeing any tank shrapnel in the frame posted but the cab being plum gone shows how much flame was pouring out those two tanks. Just my speculation, i could be wrong.

They probably should have bulkheads and pipestakes for these rigs. The driver did a decent job strapping, judging by whats left but tanks are inherently slippery. Hes got two bellies and two tops on that rear stack like he should, and doubles on that dunnage or whatever small thing at the tail, looks as good as any strap job to me. He sure didnt deserve to lose his life over it. Ofcoarse it coulda been some texter that caused it but you know the tank company will be nit picked and sued into oblivion. Horrible tragedy for all.

 

One thing im not seing is the saddles that usually go between the first and second course on the loads i see It looks as though this was a stack of 2 wide over a stack of 3 wide like a log pyramid rather than 3 double stacks. I think that probably let them slip forward on impact. I dont know if the law specs how theyre to be stacked but you may see some changes come after this. The lower cradle is still visible on the step platform, its metal and so would the saddles be but i dont see any laying around. I think pyramid stacking may have been a contributor to dumping so many tanks.

I considered doing that exact job but think ive had a change of heart.

 

My internet sux.. Couldnt play any vids. Hard to imagine hitting hard enough to put a car on your roof then just strolling away. Doors dont usually open after that. It sure dont look surviveable.