MOORESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA — Federal investigators released a preliminary report Thursday on the April 7 tanker explosion at the Carolina Beverage Group plant in Mooresville that killed the truck’s driver and injured a plant employee, revealing that the driver had called his company to report a leak and was standing behind the rear compartment moments before the explosion tore it from the rest of the tank.
What the NTSB Found
The tanker, owned and operated by chemical distribution company Brenntag, was carrying approximately 1,100 gallons of sodium hydroxide — a highly corrosive chemical used in food processing and industrial cleaning. The five-compartment cargo tank had compartments 1 and 5 filled at a Brenntag facility in Lenoir on April 6. The driver completed a delivery from compartment 1 to Carolina Canners Inc. in South Carolina that same day, leaving compartment 5 still full when he arrived in Mooresville the following morning.
Security cameras at the plant recorded the driver arriving at approximately 6:42 a.m. — roughly 30 minutes before the explosion. Shortly after arrival, cameras captured white vapor coming from the underside of the truck near compartment 5. The driver was seen climbing on top of the tank and then going underneath it. Brenntag employees told investigators the driver had called the company to report a leak. Witnesses said the driver was walking behind compartment 5 immediately before the explosion. The blast tore compartment 5 completely off the rest of the tank.
Investigators also noted that the tank’s liquid line hose had not yet been connected to the plant’s receiving line at the time of the explosion. The receiving connection at Carolina Beverage Group was connected to a stainless steel pipe that transfers material to a storage tank. Brenntag estimated damage to the cargo tank at $144,000.
The Victims
The driver, whose identity has not been released, was killed at the scene. A female Carolina Beverage Group employee who was in the blast radius suffered minor injuries and was treated and released at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Investigation Ongoing
The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. The NTSB said all aspects of the incident remain under investigation and the agency plans to issue safety recommendations once a cause is identified. Agencies involved in the investigation include the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, FMCSA, Brenntag, Carolina Beverage Group, and Dana Transport.
Background
The explosion occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. on April 7 at the Carolina Beverage Group plant on Barley Park Lane in Mooresville. Hazmat crews responded and contained the area. A second leak was discovered on a stationary nitrogen tank at the scene and was also contained. Officials said there was no immediate hazard to the surrounding community following the explosion.
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