Traffic cameras capture moment truck explodes at Melbourne crossroads

Anthony Carnavale was travelling with three liquid petroleum gas cylinders on board his truck

A rental truck exploded at a crossroad in Melbourne, Australia, killing the driver.

The vehicle transformed suddenly into a gassy ball of flames, with bits of debris flung across the road.

Traffic cameras captured the December 2015 incident which killed 24-year-old Anthony Carnavale.

An inquest in March determined that he had three liquid petroleum gas cylinders on the back of his truck, the valves on which had been left loose. As a result 1kg of gas leaked into the vehicle, which was then ignited by a spark from the car battery.

Footage of the incident was released by the Coroner's Court of Victoria, along with the recommendation that a public awareness campaign be launched to prevent other people making a similar mistake.

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has done just that, producing warnings about the dangers of working with gas cylinders.

Director of Energy Safety, Paul Fearon, told Australia's 9News network that gas cylinders are a “potential missile in a car or vehicle accident”.

“Fifty percent of all incidents relate to leak through hoses and gas escaping in an uncontrolled way,” he said.