Truck carrying gas bottles crashes; prompts 800m exclusion zone

The truck was carrying two trailers of gas bottles when it crashed, prompting authorities to issue a hazmat warning.

An 800m exclusion zone has been set up around the site of a truck crash in outback Western Australia.

The truck, which was towing two trailers full of gas bottles, crashed along Minilya-Exmouth Rd on Tuesday afternoon near the tourist town of Exmouth, about 1124km north of Perth in the state’s Gascoyne Region.

The truck, which was carrying two trailers of gas bottles, crashed early on Tuesday afternoon just outside the Ningaloo Reef tourist town of Exmouth. Picture: DFES

The crash resulted in a fire, with firefighters attending and establishing the exclusion zone after it was reported about 1.50pm.

The incident has Minilya-Exmouth Rd closed south of Learmonth Airport, the main point of access for tourists heading to Exmouth if they aren’t driving.

03:15 PM - Hazardous Materials in HAZMAT incident in EXMOUTH GULF in the SHIRE OF EXMOUTH: https://t.co/ZSEIQDbkiJ

— DFES (@dfes_wa) August 29, 2023

The condition of the driver of the truck is unknown.

“People should stay away from the area. If you are already in the area take advice from emergency services personnel,” reads an alert from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

Exmouth is a popular tourist destination for people wanting to experience the Ningaloo Reef, and attracts a large number of four-wheel-drive, camping, and fishing holiday-makers.

Tens-of-thousands of stargazers descended on the town in April, where Exmouth was one of the best places in the world to witness a total solar eclipse.