Advertisement

'I wasn't here': Fuel tank driver has 'no idea' about Sydney rollover

The confused and dazed driver at the wheel of a fuel tanker which rolled outside Sydney Airport says he doesn’t know what happened.

The 46-year-old claims he wasn’t the driver at the Wentworth Avenue scene, which caused traffic chaos across Sydney.

The overturned tanker. Source: 7News
The overturned tanker. Source: 7News
The 46-year-old driver. Source: 7News
The 46-year-old driver. Source: 7News

“Really, you weren’t the driver?” a journalist asks.

“No, not me, no,” the man replies. “I wasn’t here.”

“You weren’t there?” the journalist then says.

Fire crews at the Eastlakes scene. Source: 7News
Fire crews at the Eastlakes scene. Source: 7News
The rolled fuel tanker. Source: 7News
The rolled fuel tanker. Source: 7News

“I wouldn’t have a clue what you’re talking about,” the man said.

The driver suffered only minor cuts in the rollover, but the pain was felt by Sydney motorists with the major road closed for 14 hours.

The rollover caused traffic chaos across Sydney. Source: 7News
The rollover caused traffic chaos across Sydney. Source: 7News

Delays were felt on the Princes Highway, Botany Road and the M5 back to Liverpool as emergency crews worked to make the virtual bomb safe.

Around 300 litres of petrol poured out of the tanker when it rolled, but an estimated 34,000 litres was still inside.

Two firefighters put their lives on the line to try and cap the fuel spill while standing in the petrol, which could have ignited from any spark.

Those firies will now be recommended for bravery awards.

Firefighters at the scene. Source: 7News
Firefighters at the scene. Source: 7News

“They have placed their lives on the line,” a fire spokesperson said.

The tanker was turned upright around 4pm on Friday with speed believed to be the cause of the crash.

The road is expected to remain closed on Saturday with resurfacing works to get underway.

The tanker was turned upright on Friday afternoon. Source: 7News
The tanker was turned upright on Friday afternoon. Source: 7News