LPG tanker topples near Vadakara

Kozhikode: A tanker carrying LPG overturned Saturday night after a head-on collision with a mini lorry on a national highway in the district, injuring three persons.

There was no gas leak in the incident.

The early morning mishap at Madapally near Vadakara prompted authorities to close the section of the highway and divert traffic as a precautionary measure while efforts were on to transfer the fuel to another vehicle, they said.

The tanker was coming from Mangalapuram to Kochi when its driver attempted to overtake a car and collided with the fish-ladden mini lorry.

Drivers of the two lorries and the car were injured and had been admitted to the Medical College Hospital here, Sub-Inspector of Police Chombala Haris said.

Experts from Indian Oil Corporation's Chelari plant and Mangalapuram were making efforts to transfer the liquefied petroleum gas to another lorry and top district police officials were at the spot, he said.

There have been several accidents involving LPG tankers in Kerala in recent years. In August 2012, an LPG tanker exploded after hitting a road divider at Chala in neighbouring Kannur District, killing 20 people and injuring scores.