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Highway still closed after fatal tanker crash

Bruce Highway in North Queensland expected to remain partially closed following yesterday's fatal crash involving a petrol tanker

January 17, 2012

A section of the Bruce Highway in North Queensland is expected to remain closed for most of today after yesterday’s fatal crash involving a petrol tanker.

Queensland Police says oil still needs to be removed from the crash scene at Mount Larcom, about 30 minutes west of Gladstone, before all lanes can be reopened.

Police established an exclusion zone after the truck collided with the car about 9:15am yesterday. The driver of the car died at the scene, while the truck driver was taken to hospital suffering burns.

“Traffic controllers are in place to regulate the flow of vehicles and police are thanking motorists for their assistance and patience during this time,” a statement from Queensland Police says.

Mount Larcom was the scene of multiple incidents yesterday, with two trucks colliding at 8:45am and blocking both lanes just 2km south of the tanker incident.

The highway was also blocked south of Mount Larcom after a van and a four-wheel-drive collided about 2:30pm.

Meanwhile, Queensland Police has urged motorists to drive carefully due to recent wet weather.

With more bad weather is forecast over the next 24 hours, State Traffic Support Branch Acting Chief Superintendent Andy Morrow says motorists need to slow down and adjust their driving to the current wet conditions around the state.

“Road surfaces become very slippery during this weather as rain combines with normal road residues such as oils and grease from motor vehicles. In turn, this can limit the effectiveness of grip on tyres and can very easily lead to a loss of control,” he says.

CORRECTION: The original report incorrectly stated the car collided with the petrol tanker. The truck collided with the car, which was sitting stationary in traffic.

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