By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Pearcedale residents and commuters from Casey trying to access the Mornington Peninsula have been advised to take extreme caution following a fatal collision between a car and an LPG tanker.
Emergency services were called to the scene in Tyabb at about 8.15pm on Thursday 22 June, when a car and a B-Double collided on the Dandenong-Hastings Road.
The Western Port Highway between Bungower Road in Somerville and Frankston-Flinders Road in Tyabb was to remain closed as crews worked to clean up about 20 tonnes of LPG.
The Pearcedale region is within the advice area issued by the CFA, who were warning people a strong smell of gas may be present in the area.
They say there is no immediate threat to the community but urge people to keep a close eye on the conditions and be alert to CFA updates.
CFA District 8 Operations Officer Don Wilkie said the process of moving the spilled gas from the damaged tanker to a new one would take some time.
“The B-Double still has 20 tonne of LPG in the tank,” he said.
“The gas company will begin decanting shortly and this process is essentially moving the gas from one tanker to another.”
“This process is expected to take a number of hours, potentially well into the afternoon.”
A 49-year-old Hastings man died at the scene of the accident after crossing onto the wrong side of the road and colliding with the tanker.
Emergency services are expected to issue an update on the situation at 4pm Friday 23 June that will affect residents of Pearcedale.
Anyone experiencing health problems due to the fire or leaked gas is urged to seek medical advice from their doctor or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
