Supported by
Death Toll at 9 in Memphis Tanker Explosion
The death toll has risen to nine in the explosion of a propane truck that blew up and burned after hitting a retaining wall on an Interstate highway here.
Two people who were injured in their homes in Friday morning's accident died at a hospital today, and the authorities said a ninth person was killed in a separate accident in the traffic jam that followed the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board entered the investigation of the accident today. Michael Benson, a spokesman, said the board was concerned because the accident involved interstate trucking and hazardous materials. He said the investigation would examine the record of the truck and driver, the trucking company, the layout of the highway and the response of emergency personnel.
Six safety board investigators will head teams of local and state authorities.
''This morning we met with the various parties or people who have involvement in this accident and organized the investigation,'' Mr. Benson said, adding:
''The field phase of the investigation may take up to a week. The entire investigation will take up a minimum of nine months. We go into it very thoroughly. We'll be looking at probable cause and any safety issues that may have relevance anywhere else in the country.'' Tank Shot 125 Yards
The 100,000-gallon tanker skidded on an exit ramp of Interstate 240 in the Midtown section of Memphis, struck a retaining wall and exploded, said Capt. Benny McDow of the Fire Department. The tank shot 125 yards and crashed into a duplex apartment, crushing the building and killing a 10-year-old girl inside. The fire spread to several other houses and cars. The six killed at the scene have been identified as Randall Benson, 29 years old, of West Memphis, Ark., the truck driver; three other drivers, Harrison G. Lee, 34, of Brighton, Tenn., Robert Wardlow, 40, of Memphis, and Tina Wiles, 30, of Vicksburg, Miss.; Warner Wiles, 70, of Vicksburg, Mrs. Wiles's father-in-law, and Shelanda Towles, 10, killed in her house.
Iva J. Rubesheim, 87, who lived in the other half of the duplex from Shelanda, and James M. Malone, 57, who lived in another burned home, both died today in the Regional Medical Center.
A second truck driver, David Bailey, 29, of West Helena, Ark., was killed when his 18-wheeler struck a car tied up in the ensuing traffic jam, the police said.
Advertisement