SIMPSON BAY--The top latch of a tanker containing jet fuel, which was left partially open, was the cause of a jet fuel spill on Welfare Road, a short distance before the bridge, Friday morning. This spillage backed up traffic all the way up to Cole Bay Hill for a considerable period.Apparently, the jet fuel being transported in the contractor's truck with a French licence plate leaked out while the truck was at a standstill in traffic when the bridge was opened. According to the Fire Department, the amount of fuel that leaked out was enough to cause a car to skid and collide with oncoming cars if it had driven through the leaked fuel.
The driver of the contractor's truck was signalled to stop when other drivers noticed the leaking fuel. The Fire Department and police authorities were called to the scene immediately.
The road was closed while authorities assessed the extent of the leak. Fire fighters gathered sand from nearby Kim Sha Beach to cover the puddles of fuel on the road. Eventually, one lane was opened, allowing traffic through at intervals while the area was cleaned.
