A DRIVER jumped out of his burning truck moments before exploding on the Sadler’s Farm roundabout.
The Essex Fire Department says the driver was rushed to hospital with burns after hell, in which 38,000 liters of aviation fuel burned in flames.
Eyewitnesses say they saw the driver jump to safety in the flames after noticing the tank was on fire.
Kelly Bay, 41, of Basildon, was traveling with her boyfriend across the road from the fuel tanker when it caught fire.
She saw the driver fall to his knees as he jumped out of the tanker with flames beneath him.
Ms Bai said: “We were just waiting for the lights, then we suddenly saw the flames coming from the tanker before the driver jumped out and escaped to a safe distance.
“It went up so fast that my boyfriend put his foot down and shouted at everyone in the car to move.
“Then we heard huge bangs while the tires were running.
“Fortunately, there were people who had already gotten out of their cars, going to the driver to make sure it was okay when the police showed up.
“I’ve never been so close to something like this and I’ve never been so scared, I’m just glad the man came out.
“I don’t know how much he was hurt, but when he jumped out, he had to jump through the flames.
“The flames were in front, under where he was driving.”
Canvey Way remained closed last night, more than 24 hours after the incident, which began around 5pm on Wednesday.
Urgent repairs of the road surface, street lighting and traffic lights were necessary.
Another eyewitness commented that her daughter was in front of the oil tanker when the fire started and also saw the driver jump to safety.
Pam Kirkman said: “Well done, firefighters, very brave people.
“My daughter was letting go of my biggest back from the night and was right in front of him, she called the fire department as soon as she got out of the flames.
He jumped through the flames as soon as he realized.
Essex Fire believe the fire was caused “by accident and is under investigation”.
The driver turned to social media after the event to say that he was fine and received only minor burns.
Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris praised the emergency services for their work on public safety.
She added: “I am very pleased that no one was seriously injured in the tanker fire at Sadlers Farm, including the tanker driver, whom I understand managed to escape before the fire engulfed the cabin.
“I was in Benfleit at the time and I personally saw with other residents how firefighters and police do their job with calm and professionalism.
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