Trucker engulfed in flamesWi 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
(posted: February 26th, 8:25am) A trucker was airlifted to the hospital after he
was caught in a fireball at a thruway rest stop.
William Loots was airlifted to the Westchester Burn Center overnight after being
engulfed by flames at the thruway rest stop in New Baltimore. He was trying to
check his truck’s fuel level with a cigarette lighter and suffered second and third
degree burns over one-fourth of his body.
It’s not yet known where he’s from,
but the truck he was driving has Vermont license plates.
Loots was driving southbound on the thruway around midnight when his truck
began to have problems. That’s when he pulled into the service area and tried to
check the amount of fuel in the truck’s tank with the lighter. An employee at the
rest area found Loots in a restroom. The employee described Loots face as “all
bubbled up and it looked like his skin was starting to fall off.” He says Loots
appeared angry with himself for what happened. Rescue workers say Loots
realized what had happened, but didn't realize the extent of the injuries due to
shock setting in.
Using a lighter to check a truck’s fuel level doesn't seem like a great idea, but
truckers say it’s not an uncommon practice. They say diesel fuel is hard to ignite,
especially in cold temperatures.
Submitted on 02/26/02
Submitted by:
William Gokey
Reference:
WTEN, Albany, NY Website
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