Puerto Morelos, Q.R. — A dump truck transporting hot asphalt overturned in Puerto Morelos Thursday. The industrial vehicle accident killed one person and burned others from nearly a dozen involved vehicles.
The federal 307 highway was completely shut in both directions early Thursday due to the severity of the accident when the truck overturned, dumping its load of hot asphalt on approaching vehicles. At least 10 people were reported injured, some with severe burns, in the multi-vehicle accident.
The driver of the dump truck overturned at a busy highway area while heading north where its load of hot asphalt landed on an SUV. The occupants inside suffered severe burns and were rushed to hospital. The driver of the SUV was hit hardest by the hot asphalt.
He was pronounced dead at the scene after being trapped his vehicle.
Emergency crews rushed to the highway in response to numerous reports of the horrific accident. According to early information, the driver of the dump truck, who was traveling at highway speed, was unable to slow down due to a lack of brakes.
National Guard Highways were part of the emergency response team Thursday along with Municipal Police and Rescate Nacional 3 Alfa out of Puerto Morelos.
In a brief note, Rescate Nacional said “caution, a serious accident has been reported on Federal Highway 307, km 321+500, from south to north, as a reference before going up the bridge, in front of Citizen Security, traffic is closed in both directions.”
