A tanker truck exploded on a busy highway near Giddings, Texas, on Sunday, leaving two people in critical condition. Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene, including firefighters, paramedics, and police officers. The highway was closed off as a result of the explosion, and traffic was redirected around the scene.
Two people were in critical condition after a tanker truck exploded on a busy highway near Giddings, Texas, on Sunday.
The explosion happened on U.S. 290 east of Giddings – which is nearly an hour east of Austin.
Tanker Truck Explosion on Texas Highway Leaves Two in Critical Condition
Emergency crews from numerous agencies quickly responded to the scene to not only tend to the fire and rescue those critically injured, but also to provide support and backup.
Paramedics with Lee County EMS responded quickly and loaded two critically injured patients, who were taken to a hospital in Austin, according to a Facebook post from Lee County EMS.
Tanker Truck Explosion on Texas Highway Leaves Two in Critical Condition
Agencies including the Giddings, Lincoln and South Lee County fire departments, Giddings Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Fayette County EMS responded to the fiery incident.
As a result of the explosion, authorities blocked the highway off and redirected traffic around the scene.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, there were no other vehicles involved in the crash.
The tanker truck was hauling gasoline, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
The explosion caused a large fire, which was quickly extinguished by firefighters.
No other injuries were reported.
The highway was closed for several hours while crews worked to clear the scene.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash.
