- Safiu Kehinde
The driver who drove away a burning fuel tanker, averting what would have been a disastrous incident in Osun state, has explained the behind his act of bravery.
NPO Reported that the driver had on Thursday took a daring decision to drive off the burning fuel tanker away from a fuel station before disconnecting the head of the vehicle from the truck in Iwo area of Osun state.
Speaking to our correspondent on the incident, the driver identified as a 38-year-old Alagbe Hezekiah, said he took the decision to spare the save the lives of others as well as several properties likely to be affected if the tanker had exploded.
Alagbe disclosed that the tanker caught fire while they were offloading its content at a fuelling station in Iwo.
He recounted effort to put out the fire with an extinguisher.
This however proved abortive, prompting the driver’s decision to take the bold step of driving the burning truck out of the station.
‘We went to supply fuel at a petrol station in Iwo and have fitted the pipe to transfer the fuel from the vehicle.
‘Suddenly, fire erupted and we didn’t know the specific cause of the fire. We tried extinguishing the fire, but it was beyond the control of the extinguisher.
‘So, I thought of what I can do avert putting lives of many and properties at risk.
‘I drove the vehicle out of the petrol station. I scanned the area for where there are no people living around. I decided to drive to a riverbank where there will be no casualties.’ He said.
Alagbe, who admitted being afraid in the course of his action, held that he took the decision to prevent putting several others at risk.
He further disclosed that the incident will be the first of its kind he will experience since he started driving fuel tanker back from 2004.
‘I thought if that tanker should explode at the fuelling station, so many lives will be lost. So, I decided to rather risk just my life to save others.
‘I was afraid watching the flames behind me. But at the same time, I was concerned about people’s properties. So, I already whatever fate that befalls in as much as I’m the only one involved.
‘I’ve been driving fuel truck since 2004 and I’ve never experienced something like this before.’ He said.
On his word of admonition to his fellow drivers, Alagbe urged them to be diligent and brave.
‘I will encourage my colleagues out there to be diligent and brave. However, only solve challenge you know you are capable of solving. Retreat from any challenge beyond your control.’ He said.