THE driver of the gas tanker that exploded in Boksburg, killing 15 people and injuring scores, has been arrested by the police.
He faces a number of charges, including culpable homicide, negligence and malicious damage to property.
The 32-year-old driver was arrested at a private hospital where he was receiving medical treatment for minor injuries.
Fifteen people have so far declared dead, and around 40 others were injured when a fuel tanker exploded in Boksburg on Saturday.
Several houses and vehicles were also damaged by the explosion.
The horrific tanker explosion outside OR Tambo Memorial Hospital also resulted in the damage to the Emergency Department at the hospital.
Videos on social media showed a huge fireball under the bridge, which the tanker appeared to have been too high to go under.
It was carrying 60,000 litres of LPG gas, which is used especially in cooking and gas stoves.
The suspect will appear before the Boksburg Magistrates Court on 28 December 2022.
“On Saturday, 24 December 2022, in the evening following an explosion of a gas tanker in Boksburg, the police traced and arrested the driver of the tanker at a private hospital where he had been receiving medical treatment for minor injuries,” said SAPS Brigadier Brenda Muridili.
“The 32-year-old suspect has been charged with multiple counts of culpable homicide, negligent causing of an explosion resulting in death [Act 26 of 1956, Section 27 (2)] and malicious damage to property.”
“Earlier in the day at 06:15, the South African Police Service’s various specialised units as well as officials from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police, Gauteng Emergency Services (EMS), Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services, Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’, Disaster Management, Response and Rescue personnel, and specialised equipment were dispatched to Boksburg’s Railway Bridge on the Hospital Road following an explosion.”
“Preliminary investigations found that the loaded gas tanker got stuck trying to drive through a low bridge and the impact resulted in an explosion. The gas tanker was allegedly driving from Richard’s Bay en route to Botswana.”
“The driver as well as several people who sustained injuries including eight firefighters were taken to various hospitals for medical treatment. Thus far, 15 people are reported to have sustained fatal injuries including a 10-year-old boy.”
Staff Reporter
