GENESEE COUNTY A semi-tanker and a motorcycle collided on southbound I-475 on the Stewart ramp
at about 1:30 a.m. The tanker exploded shortly afterwards, north of Hamilton.
The heat from the explosion was so intense, it melted construction barrels and
damaged the concrete. It was a scene that will burn on in the memories of those
working to clean it up.
The flames could be seen for miles after the Burton man, who was riding the
motorcycle, collided with a double-tanker truck while entering the ramp.
A fire official reports the impact left the man dead at the scene as the
trucker, who Flint Police say was unaware of the collision, kept driving. Half a
mile from the ramp the driver noticed sparks on his tail end, stopped, and got
out. At that time, Firemen say the tanker exploded.
Andy Graves, the Flint Battalion Chief of Station 1, says the leak caused
several explosions and even threw the tires against highway walls. "The
motorcycle sheared the fill valve of the tanker, causing the product to spill
and eventually ignite."
Even after the explosion subsided, Graves was concerned for the safety of those
in close proximity. "There was concern that the tanks themselves could explode,
so we isolated the area by closing down both directions of the freeway. And we
threw the firefighters to a safe position."
After the gas burned off, the Genesee County Hazardous Materials Team and
Michigan Department of Transportation were called to deal with the toxic spill.
They had to repair cracked lanes and broken concrete, all of which were
just remnants of the explosion's massive damage.
The truck driver survived the explosion, and police report that he managed to
leave the scene unscathed.
Police are still investigating the accident, but say no alcohol was found in the truck.
Funeral services for the Burton motorcyclist are expected to be held this week.
Motorcycle accident causes semi-tanker explosion Saturday morning
kabc
By ABC7
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