BAHAWALPUR: The driver of an oil tanker died when the vehicle overturned on motorway near Channigoth, about 70 kilometres away here, early on Friday.

Hafty Khan, 40, who belonged to Dera Ismail Khan, lost his life in the accident when he was carrying oil to Multan from Karachi. The oil tanker overturned when its tierod dislocated. Petrol started spilling on the motorway, prompting the officials to stop traffic.

Ahmedpur East emergency rescue officer Abid Raheem told Dawn over phone that they received a call about the accident around 2am on Friday after which fire vehicles and ambulances fromAhmedpur East and Liaquatpur were sent to the area.

The NH&MP and police cordoned off one side of the motorway and stopped the traffic.

The rescuers pulled out the driver from the cabin of the vehicle but he breathed his last.

District Emergency Officer, Bahawalpur, Baqir Hussain said almost 6,000 litre petrol spilled on the road and the remaining quantity was shifted to another vehicle af ter about 12 hours or so.

Raheem quoted officials of the NH&MP as having said the tie-rod of the vehicle broke as a result of which the driver lost control and it overturned.

The dead body of the driver was shifted to Channigoth health centre.