Mangalore : An LPG tanker overturned near Maranahalli in Shiradi Ghat in Sakaleshpur taluk, killing one person and leaking highly inflammable gas. Vehicular movement on the Bangalore-Mangalore highway was stalled for the whole of Sunday to avoid fires in the area.

The stretch is expected to be closed for vehicles even on Monday, as the rescue team has yet to stop the leakage.

Driver Ilayraj and cleaner Ramesh suffered serious injuries in the accident. Ramesh succumbed to his injuries at the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences.

The accident occurred around 6.30 a.m., when the tanker, belonging to Indane, was travelling to Mangalore from Bangalore.As the tanker had developed cracks, the gas leaks caused tension among people travelling that way. Fire tenders were called in and the company’s rescue team reached the spot from Mangalore. After inspection, the team came to the conclusion that shifting the gas to an empty tanker would be impossible, as the tanker had fallen into a deep ditch with no free space. They decided to empty the tanker by allowing the gas to leak. Fire and Emergency Services personnel were busy cooling the tanker by pouring water.

With the help of the police, the area was evacuated. Mangalore-bound vehicles were diverted via Mudigere throughout the day.

Ravi D. Channannavar, Superintendent of Police, told that measures had been taken to avert any fires in the area.

“The rescue team said they required more time to empty the gas tanker lorry and declare the place safe. Until then, vehicles will not be allowed on the stretch,” he said.

He commented that oil companies had been requested to set up their rescue teams in Hassan, as similar incidents had occurred in the area. A few months ago, a truck turned turtle near Alur in the vicinity of a primary health centre and a school. The district administration had to shift the hospital immediately.

“Companies should understand the necessity of a rescue team in Hassan. Whenever such incidents happen, the team has to arrive from either Mangalore or Bangalore, which would take a minimum of four hours,” he said.