A raging fire engulfed a propane truck after it smashed into a railroad bridge in upstate New York, leaving a 60-year-old driver with horrific third-degree burns
Share this @internewscast.com

A raging fire engulfed a propane truck after it smashed into a railroad bridge in upstate New York, leaving a 60-year-old driver with horrific third-degree burns.

Photos and videos captured the horrifying explosion in Glenville, New York, after the 18-wheel tractor-trailer carrying propane crashed into the Maple Avenue bridge on Thursday evening.

Flames reached as high as 200 feet in the air and shockwaves were felt more than six miles from the crash site.

The 60-year-old driver, Sylvester Basil Jr. from Clute, Texas, sustained third-degree burns on his hands and face. He was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center.

‘It was a significant explosion,’ Town Supervisor Chris Koetzle said. ‘It’s, by far, the worst bridge hit – by far.

A raging fire engulfed a propane truck after it smashed into a railroad bridge in upstate New York, leaving a 60-year-old driver with horrific third-degree burns

A raging fire engulfed a propane truck after it smashed into a railroad bridge in upstate New York, leaving a 60-year-old driver with horrific third-degree burns

A raging fire engulfed a propane truck after it smashed into a railroad bridge in upstate New York, leaving a 60-year-old driver with horrific third-degree burns 

Photos and videos captured the explosion in Glenville, New York, after the 18-wheel tractor-trailer carrying propane crashed into the Maple Avenue bridge Thursday evening

Photos and videos captured the explosion in Glenville, New York, after the 18-wheel tractor-trailer carrying propane crashed into the Maple Avenue bridge Thursday evening

Photos and videos captured the explosion in Glenville, New York, after the 18-wheel tractor-trailer carrying propane crashed into the Maple Avenue bridge Thursday evening

The National Grid map showed that more than 1,200 people, including most residents and businesses on the east side of town, lost power due to the crash. 

Multiple households near the site were also evacuated. 

‘The vehicle was struck and three occupants were injured,’ police said in a news release after the crash. ‘All were transported to Albany Medical Center.’ 

A train can be seen traveling on tracks in videos and photos from the explosion site, but did not sustain any damage, according to authorities. 

‘I would assume with the amount of fire that was here, that the train was probably engulfed,’ Glenville police Chief Stephen Janik said. 

Police said Basil was traveling from Pennsylvania to make a delivery to an unknown location about an hour north of the crash site. 

He did not recognize the warning signs indicating a low height and struck the bridge at around 6.30pm Thursday, according to authorities. 

‘He did indicate to officers as they were doing the investigation that he did not see the low bridge sign,’ Janik said. 

Despite suffering severe burns, the driver was conscious and walked himself to the ambulance, according to authorities. 

Flames reached as high as 200 feet in the air and shockwaves were felt more than six miles from the crash site

Flames reached as high as 200 feet in the air and shockwaves were felt more than six miles from the crash site

Flames reached as high as 200 feet in the air and shockwaves were felt more than six miles from the crash site

Police said Basil was traveling from Pennsylvania to make a delivery to an unknown location about an hour north of the crash site

The National Grid map showed that more than 1,200 people, including most residents and business on the east side of town, lost power due to the crash

The National Grid map showed that more than 1,200 people, including most residents and business on the east side of town, lost power due to the crash

The National Grid map showed that more than 1,200 people, including most residents and business on the east side of town, lost power due to the crash

The fire was contained after emergency teams, including state and local police along with fire departments, rushed to the scene. 

Peter Sweet, a former nurse with 20 years of experience at Ellis Medicine, told the Daily Gazette as he was returning home, he saw the power flash on and off and smoke drift into the sky. 

He followed emergency responders to the scene and helped treat the driver after identifying himself as a nurse. 

‘I just kept him calm, asking him where he was from and told him that I was going to take good care of him,’ Sweet said. ‘But his hands were pretty burnt.’

Police said Maple Avenue will be closed for ‘an undetermined amount of time while the accident scene is made safe and the investigation can be conducted.’ 

‘I wouldn’t come anywhere near Hetcheltown [Road], Glenridge [Road] or Maple,’ Koetzle said. 

The town has gained notoriety for bridge strikes at multiple overpasses in recent years. 

The Glenridge Road bridge located nearby has been the site of multiple collisions, according to local reports. 

‘We’ve got to get the state and the county together, and we’ve got to address this issue,’ Koetzle said on Thursday evening. 

‘This is a very dangerous area. Tonight, this just highlights that,’ he said. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Texas Sees Closure of Numerous Free Measles Vaccine Clinics Following Federal Funding Reductions

Steep federal funding cuts have forced public health officials in one of…

ICE Agent Faces Judge’s Anger After Detaining Migrant During Court Proceedings

A judge has slammed an ICE agent and held him in contempt…

NANCY GRACE: Ellen Greenberg’s Death Ruled as Suicide Despite 20 Stab Wounds – New Evidence Suggests Murder

I remember the first photo I saw of Ellen Greenberg with her…

Netanyahu Claims Israeli Police Attempting to Overthrow His Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Israeli police of attempting a “political witch…

Bill Murray Surprises Naomi Watts with a Kiss on ‘Watch What Happens Live’ Shocking Moment

Bill Murray was in a playful mood on the Monday night episode…

DA Announces No Assault Charges for ‘NYPD Blue’ Star Kim Delaney

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — Kim Delaney will not face assault charges related…

With Escalating Tariffs, Recyclers Fear the Effects of What Comes Around

Other industry stakeholders are sounding similarly circumspect on the eve of what…

Maury Povich, 86, surprises fans with intimate revelation about sex life with wife Connie Chung, 78

Maury Povich didn’t hold back when it came to getting playful about…

Costa Rican Hotel Rejects Claims That Carbon Monoxide Killed Yankees Legend Brett Gardner’s Son

The Costa Rican resort where Miller Gardner, the son of New York…

Prosecutors Instructed to Pursue Death Penalty for UnitedHealthcare Murder Suspect, Luigi Mangione

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday she…

New Jersey Judge Claims Authority Over Lawsuit Contesting Mahmoud Khalil’s Detention

The judge presiding over a lawsuit in New Jersey challenging the detention…

Aurora, Illinois Election Update: John Laesch Wins as Richard Irvin Concedes; Daniel Biss Expected to Become Evanston Mayor

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) — Many suburban communities voted on key leadership positions…