HE WAS THOUGHT TO BE MISSING… – The driver initially unaccounted for after a massive explosion involving six trucks on the Hume Highway has now been found, bringing relief amid a devastating crash that left several people injured.
An unaccounted for driver has been found after six semi-trailers were involved in a crash that sparked an explosion and shut down one of Australia’s busiest highways.
Two trucks collided at Breadalbane, south-west of Goulburn in NSW, just after 5am on Tuesday.
Emergency services initially reported the trucks then careered into five other rigs at a roadside rest stop, causing a massive explosion that led to the closure of the vital route between Sydney and Canberra.
NSW Police have since provided an update, clarifying that only six vehicles were involved, and that one of the unaccounted drivers had been found.
‘It is nothing short of a miracle that all six drivers managed to make it out and none of them with serious injuries either,’ NSW Police Acting Inspector Vladimir Mijok said.
A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said one of the trucks was carrying eight tonnes of butane cans.
‘Another (truck) was transporting resin, a third contained memory foam and a fourth was packed with alcohol, fuelling the resulting fire and explosions,’ he said.
Paramedics treated six people for minor injuries.
+2
View gallery
Six people have been injured after six semi-trailers were involved in a massive crash
+2
View gallery
Two trucks initially collided on the Hume Highway at Breadalbane, south-west of Goulburn in NSW, just after 5am on Tuesday
The highway was closed in both directions between Gunning and Cullerin Road in Breadalbane.
A 300metre exclusion zone was set up, with more than 30 firefighters on the scene.
Motorists have been urgently advised to avoid the area and allow for extra travel time.
‘Due to the nature of the crash, the highway is expected to be closed for some time,’ a Traffic NSW spokesman said.
Two of the truck drivers have been taken to Goulburn Base Hospital for mandatory testing.
John Pearson, from NSW Transport Management Centre, said that firefighters had managed to extinguish the blaze by 11am.
‘A number of trucks are parked up, heading north, so if you’re expecting any trucks heading towards Goulburn, they’re going to still be some time,’ he said.
He warned a crime scene had been established, and that would add to travel times.
‘That normally does take some time,’ Mr Pearson said.
‘All I can say is, still allow plenty of extra travel time.’
