Share

Truck carrying Takata airbag-detonators explodes: 1 killed, 10 houses damaged

UPDATE: We've included comments from Takata and the sheriff of Maverick County, Texas.

Del Rio, Texas - A woman was killed when a truck, loaded with Takata airbag detonators caught fire and exploded in front of her house. Many other houses in the area were damaged in the blast.

Conexion Del Rio reports that 69-year-old Lucila Robles was killed in the blast. She was identified by through dental records. Robles worked at the Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio.

Home alone

The truck was en route to the Takata factory in Eagle Pass, Texas when it went off the road. Conexion Del Rio reports that the blast from the explosion damaged ten nearby homes.

Tom Schmerber, the sheriff of Maverick County, Texas said: "It created a big crater.

"It burned and killed a woman in a house nine metres away. Her body was completely disintegrated, but they did manage to find two teeth so they could identify her." 

READ: Takata saga - 7 automakers, 4.4-million cars recalled

The driver of the truck, 20-year-old Mario Alberto Rodrigues, along with his passenger, were injured though managed to escape from the truck before it exploded. 

Takata responds

Tokyo-based Takata - hammered by a defect in its airbag inflators linked to at least 15 deaths and scores of injuries globally - denied the accident was related to the problem part.

A company spokeswoman said: "We don't think the accident has anything to do with the defect," adding that it appeared the supply truck was in a road accident that caused a fire and then the deadly explosion.

In a statement, the company said: "Takata has strict safety procedures relating to the transportation of its products that meet or exceed all regulatory requirements.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who died as a result of this accident."

You can read the full article on Conexion Del Rio here.

READ: Takata exploding airbags - 2 more deaths reported

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()