TWO truck drivers first on the scene at a massive Charleville bridge explosion have been given Star of Courage awards for rescuing the driver of a burning dangerous goods truck loaded with more than 50 tonnes of ammonium nitrate.
On the evening of 5 September, 2014, a B-double Kenworth carrying a highly explosive load crashed off the Angellala Creek Bridge on the Mitchell Highway and burst into flames. Raging 10 metre high flames and a black smoke plume could be seen 30 kilometres out of Charleville and the sonic waves from the explosions were described as a kick in the chest from hundreds of metres away.
Passing truckies Timothy Bunyen and Jimmy Bateman spotted the accident and noticed the cabin of the overturned truck was on fire and beginning to melt.
Article written by Big Rigs, www.bigrigs.com.au.