A truck driver died Wednesday when his truckload of ammonium nitrate exploded after his brakes caught fire while driving in Arkansas.
Randall McDougal, 63, called 911 about 6:40 a.m. to report the brake fire. Arkansas State Police say McDougal, a driver for Blann Trucking Company of Hampton, Arkansas stopped along U.S. Highway 278.
Three firefighters and a school bus driver were injured by the blast which left a crater 15 feet deep. McDougal had reportedly been attempting to extinguish the blaze when his truck exploded, according to kait8.com.
“The first fire department personnel on the scene had begun to evacuate residents who live in the area and reportedly witnessed McDougal return to the truck when it exploded,” state police said in a press release.
Ammonium nitrate is normally used as an agricultural fertilizer.
Ouachita Co: Hwys, 278, 57 and 24 remain closed due to a tanker truck accident/explosion west of Camden. A 1 mile area has been cordoned off. Monitor at https://t.co/l1xGNNTado. #artraffic #swatraffic #arnews pic.twitter.com/0o9DivLnJl
— Arkansas DOT (@myARDOT) March 27, 2019
Ouachita Co: U.S. Highway 278 will remain closed until further notice. This morning’s accident left about a 15-foot deep crater in the road. Once the accident has been cleared, our crews will begin to repair the highway. Updates as they are available. #ARnews #ARtraffic #ARleg pic.twitter.com/O6DIXGjPnk
— Arkansas DOT (@myARDOT) March 27, 2019
EXPLOSION CLAIMS LIFE OF TRUCK DRIVER: Remains of an individual suspected to be those of Randall McDougal, 63, of El Dorado, have been recovered from the site of an explosion......Read: https://t.co/WOTnxWghPg pic.twitter.com/7mdhhdtwwD
— AR State Police (@ARStatePolice) March 27, 2019
