Daijiworld Media Network – Kaushambi

Kaushambi, Jun 26: Seven people, including six toll plaza employees and the driver of an LPG tanker, were injured after the vehicle crashed into a toll booth and caught fire in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district on Friday morning, police said.

The accident occurred in the Kokhraj police station limits after the LPG tanker reportedly went out of the driver's control, hit a road divider and rammed into a toll plaza.

Police said gas leaking from the tanker ignited following the impact, triggering a massive blaze. The flames were visible from nearly two kilometres away, causing panic in the area.

Several fire tenders rushed to the spot and managed to bring the fire under control after a major firefighting operation.

Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapat said all fire brigade units in the district, along with civil police personnel, were deployed at the scene. Fire personnel continued to monitor the area even after the blaze was extinguished to prevent any further danger.

The injured were identified as toll plaza employees Alok Singh, Hiramani, Atul Mishra, Krishna Pal Maurya and two others, along with the tanker driver.

Four of the injured toll workers and the driver were initially admitted to the district hospital before being referred to SRN Hospital in Prayagraj after their condition was found to be serious.

The remaining two injured toll employees were admitted to the Muratganj Community Health Centre and are reported to be out of danger.

Police said the tanker driver fled the scene following the accident.

Officials have informed the District Supply Inspector and a technical team, which will conduct a detailed investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident and the subsequent fire.