ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Mon 03 Feb, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Tanker company in fatal explosion 'cut corners on maintenance' By Stephen Long A fuel tanker company involved in a fatal accident in Sydney last year was using large numbers of dilapidated vehicles that should never have been on the road, according to a whistleblower working inside the company. Two people were killed and five injured when a Cootes Transport tanker rolled on its side, burst into flames and collided with several cars on Mona Vale Road last October. A long-standing Cootes employee has told the ABC's Four Corners program the company used vehicles that should not have been on the road. "I know for a fact of trucks being driven with very poor repair jobs done on them. They should never have been on the road - they should've been put on a tow truck, but they continue to work," the whistleblower said. The ABC has also learned that brake linings on the trailer destroyed in the Mona Vale accident were worn down and well beyond the point at which they needed replacement. More » Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman found dead in New York aged 46 Christopher Pyne announces $70 million fund to help public schools go it alone Joe Hockey reveals complaint phone calls to ABC managing director Seattle Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII, thrashing favourites Denver Broncos 43-8 Ex-policeman faces court charged over stabbing of wife and children Government defends move to delist part of Tasmania's World Heritage Area More Analysis » Abuse of power does nothing to protect us By Crooke and Fitzgerald Arrogant, ill-informed politicians who cynically misuse the power of the state for personal or political benefit are a far greater threat to democracy than criminals - even organised gangs. 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More » Defiant Thai protesters disregard poll, want PM out Seahawks roll over Broncos in Super Bowl upset Social media reaction to Super Bowl 2014 Woody Allen rejects daughter's abuse claims Castaway washes up on remote Pacific atoll Business More Business » Tanker company in fatal explosion 'cut corners on maintenance' By Stephen Long A fuel tanker company involved in a fatal accident in Sydney last year was using large numbers of dilapidated vehicles that should never have been on the road, according to a whistleblower working inside the company. Two people were killed and five injured when a Cootes Transport tanker rolled on its side, burst into flames and collided with several cars on Mona Vale Road last October. A long-standing Cootes employee has told the ABC's Four Corners program the company used vehicles that should not have been on the road. "I know for a fact of trucks being driven with very poor repair jobs done on them. They should never have been on the road - they should've been put on a tow truck, but they continue to work," the whistleblower said. The ABC has also learned that brake linings on the trailer destroyed in the Mona Vale accident were worn down and well beyond the point at which they needed replacement. More » Home prices surge again in January, building approvals following Business group backs SPC decision, slams corporate welfare Job ads keep falling, but deterioration slowing Private gauge shows inflation weakened in January Politics More Politics » Defiant Thai protesters disregard poll, want PM out Anti-government protesters plan to forge ahead today with efforts to topple prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, a day after a disrupted election. 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