THE journey to work one Monday morning for commuters in Tetbury was made more eventful when roads were closed and diversions put in place thanks to a tanker breaking in two in October 1968.

The Standard carried dramatic pictures on its front page, showing fireman and volunteers who worked for four hours “laboriously with a hand pump transferring 4,000 gallons of petrol” from the stricken vehicle.

Church Street in Tetbury was closed to traffic and diversions introduced.

The paper reported that as a precaution against the possibility of fire, a general stores was closed and all electrical appliances were switched off at the shop of Mr P C Percival, outside of which the articulated tanker broke into two.

The accident occurred at about 8.30am as it travelled from Avonmouth through Tetbury and Cirencester to Blunsden, near Swindon.

Baker, Mr Walter Smith, raised the alarm.

Efforts were made to move the trailer still with its petrol load and firemen sprayed it with foam.

Chief Superintenent W J Howkins said: “An exploratory lift revealed the possibility of the plates buckling and it was decided it would be safer to transfer the petrol to another vehicle.”

Divional Officer R Doyle was in charge of the fire fighting appliances.