Nitrogen truck overturns in Natore, 2 injured

Two people were injured after a truck carrying liquid nitrogen overturned on the Banpara-Hatikumrul highway in Natore's Baraigram upazila on Saturday, causing a gas leak that temporarily halted traffic.

The injured are truck driver Siddiqur Rahman, 60, from Savar, Dhaka, and his assistant Fazlur Rahman, 55, from Bhaluka, Mymensingh. They were rescued and admitted to Baraigram Upazila Health Complex.

Officer-in-Charge of Banpara Highway Police Station Moniruzzaman said the truck, which was travelling from Dhaka to Natore, lost control after hitting a pothole in the Serampur area and overturned. The impact damaged the tanker, releasing liquid nitrogen and creating a thick white vapour that spread across a 300"400 metre stretch, triggering panic among locals and motorists.

Fire Service personnel and highway police rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area. Traffic on the highway remained suspended for about an hour as a precaution before the damaged truck was removed and vehicular movement resumed.

SKS