On a sunny fall day in 2007, a 50-year old semi truck driver hauling processed frozen chicken in a refrigerated trailer, died when his semi crashed into a rock wall. The driver was north bound on an interstate highway when witnesses saw the semi in the left lane contact the concrete median barrier then veer over to the right across one traffic lane and the shoulder, then strike a rock wall. The impact caused the cab to overturn onto the driver's door while the refrigerated trailer remained standing upright. An exhaust pipe located on the back of the cab was horizontal facing skyward on the cab. The fuel line to the refrigeration unit was damaged in the crash allowing fuel to drip onto the hot exhaust pipe and ignite a fire. Numerous calls reporting the crash were placed to 911 emergency medical services. A man and woman reportedly driving behind the semi witnessed the fire start between the cab and trailer. Emergency services arrived and found the cab and front of the trailer engulfed in flames. The local coroner was contacted and called to the scene where he declared the driver dead at the scene.
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) for Kentucky: Semi-Tractor Trailer Driver Hauling Chicken Dies After Striking a Rock Wall, FACE-07-KY-070
2008
12 pages
Report
No indication
English
Police, Fire, & Emergency Services , Public Health & Industrial Medicine , Emergency Services & Planning , Life Support Systems , Accident analysis , Accident prevention , Accidents , Injuries , Injury prevention , Traumatic injuries , Safety practices , Safety measures , Safety education , Work practices , Training , Motor vehicles , Truck drivers , Drivers , Fatigue , Protective measures , Fire hazards , Fire protection , Fire protection equipment , Diabetic kit , Fire , Fuel lines , Refrigeration