Sad ending Beetle fuel leak

[Terry Phillips]

Over the weekend Stuart and wife Ina where on their way to the Ocean Basket in Alberton I believe over the weekend in their Beetle,they decided to stop for petrol when they both noticed a very strong smell of petrol inside the car.Stuart looked and said the carpets are wet with petrol and said he will look at it in the car park at Ocean Basket. On the way again Ina was driving when all of a sudden the petrol ignited giving Ina such a fright that she ended up having a accident,Ina managed to get out and went to help Stuart who was knocked out after the accident,she tried to get him out but she could not undo the seat belt,while trying two men ran over to help and Stuart was badly burnt and was rushed to hospital with 80% burns and sadly he passed away on Monday.
RIP Stuart condolences to Ina and family.
The biking family will miss you.

I can only assume the reserve tank switch over valve or pipe caused petrol to leak into the cab.
This is how I understand the story to be but it could differ but almost certain this is what happened.

[Pine]

Thank you for sharing the story Terry, and condolences to the family of Stuart. Were Stuart and Ina members of ACVWSA?

Am I correct in assuming the Beetle was an early model with the reserve switch below the dash? That is the only way I can figure out how petrol can come inside the cabin from the front?

Never underestimate the potency of petrol and fire...

[fig]

My condolences to Stuart's family. What a terrible tragedy.

I hate to raise this at such a sad time, but it seems appropriate:
Check your fuel system for leaks at every service!
Replace all rubber fuel lines annually, including invisible ones like those below the fuel tank.
Ensure the rubber grommet where the steel fuel line goes through the front (FIF) engine tin is always present and pliable.
If you can smell fuel in an ACVW, DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL until you have identified and addressed the cause.

For additional fire and theft security, fit an electromagnetic cut-off valve at the base of your fuel tank to stop the gravity feed in case of fire.

Petrol is highly combustible and petrol fires burn very FAST & HOT! Once petrol is exposed, it only takes the tiniest spark to ignite it. In a case like this, where there was petrol on the floor, simply operating the indicator switch can cause the fuel to ignite.

Be safe volks! Let's not become a tragic story when this sort of thing is completely avoidable.

[Terry Phillips]

No I think they where more into biking.yes it was a old beetle.Not sure if their daughter was with but dont think so.

[acpaterson]

Terrible news. Condolences.

[Donovan D]

Terrible news indeed. Condolences to the family.

[Tony Z]

Wow, that is simply horrible news.
Condolences to the family.

[jolas]

shame, this is too terrible for words