The SubReddit r/dashcams has some incredible footage that has to be seen to be believed. Some of it shows angry or stupid drivers, but other videos show some harrowing scenes. One recently uploaded video shows a tow truck failing to brake for a previous accident.
The footage currently has over 2,000 upvotes and over 100 comments at the time of writing. According to the original poster (OP), the incident took place on the Arco Norte highway (Km 115, Mexico), where a multi-vehicle crash had already occurred.
We can see the tow truck in question roar along the highway, then suddenly slam on the brakes. This caused it to lurch sideways and slam into one side of the highway fencing. It then crossed the highway again and hit the other side, and this is when the flames really started.
It’s highly likely that the fuel tank sustained damage in the initial impact, which caused the truck to catch fire. We can also see it narrowly avoid one person standing on the other side of the road; a pickup truck that was just behind the truck sees it all unfold.
The Footage Showed a Harrowing Scene
Tow truck fails to brake for previous accident, crashes and erupts into a fireball [Arco Norte, Mexico]
by
u/arandomuserinweb in
dashcams
The truck rapidly lost control as it came towards us, from the dashcam vehicle’s viewpoint. It suddenly snaps sideways, sliding along the highway before the cab strikes the fencing on the opposite side. It appeared to ride up over the fence and slam down before coming back onto the highway.
Some liquid appears to come out of the truck, and as it comes back around, we can see the damage it has done to the fence. At this point, it catches fire, with flames spotted beneath it before they become more intense. During this time, the truck is still sliding along the highway at considerable speed. The flames become fiercer as the truck gets closer and closer to the camera.
It narrowly misses someone watching from our side of the highway. It then collides with the barrier separating the two sides of the highway, setting part of the fence on fire and causing the onlooker to fall over. Thankfully, he appears to pick himself back up without a visible injury. A truck travelling along the other side of the highway saw it all, with the driver applying his brakes to avoid being caught up in the fireball.
What Happened to the Tow Truck?
After the tow truck caught fire, it slid out of view. Our vehicle then moves forward, presumably to drive away from the fireball that the truck has left behind us. In front, we see an emergency vehicle turn on its lights and drive off, potentially to get onto the other side of the highway and assist those involved in this secondary crash. The chaotic nature of the scene is evident from the truck on its side just in front of the dashcam vehicle.
If we look closely at the footage, we can just see the driver’s door opening as the truck hits the fence. It then looks like someone falls out of the cab, and it’s possible the driver had thrown himself clear to avoid being caught up in the rest of the accident. Whatever the case, it would have been a harrowing situation for everybody involved.