Two truck drivers die in ‘horrendous’ head-on crash near Truro as dust storm envelops road, Sturt Highway closed

Two truck drivers have died in a head-on crash in a dust storm in the state’s Mid North, their semi-trailers bursting into flames. The Sturt Highway has been closed at Truro.

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Two truck drivers have been killed in a head-on crash in the middle of a dust storm in SA’s Mid North.

The smash occurred on the Sturt Highway, about 6km east of Truro, just after 11.30am.

Country Fire Service crews were called to the scene after the semi-trailers caught alight.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, but a dust storm whipped up by strong winds prevented access to the crash site for some time.

Utter devastation at the scene of the double fatal. Picture: Tom Huntley

Emergency service workers at the scene of the the double-fatal truck crash near Truro. Picture: Tom Huntley

When police and paramedics finally arrived at the scene they found a 26-year-old Riverland man and 64-year-old Andrews Farm man had died.

Chief Inspector Shane Addison said the scene was “horrendous”.

“Police and emergency services had extreme difficulty getting to the scene, due to extreme winds and low visibility caused by heavy dust and the crash itself,” he said.

Brett Morgan, 55, came across the crash in the minutes after the two trucks collided.

“There was a strong wind kicking dust up from the paddocks,” he said.

The scene of the devastating smash. Picture: Tom Huntley

The scene of the truck collision on the Sturt Highway. Picture: Tom Huntley

“The visibility would have been down to around 20m. We put our hazard lights on and came across all these cars parked on the side of the road.

“We could see the back of a truck, which was on fire. The trailer started to burn and pop by the time we had been turned around.”

Mr Morgan said wind was whipping up a dust storm on the Blanchetown side of Accommodation Hill, obscuring the view of drivers for several kilometres.

One of the trucks was carrying a flammable load, 9 News reported, but it’s not known how many people are involved in the crash.

The trucks burst into flames when the collision occurred. Picture: Tom Huntley

The serious crash occurred during a dust storm. Picture: Tom Huntley

Emergency services on the Sturt Highway. Two trucks have collided about 6km from Truro. Picture: Tom Huntley

Police on the Sturt Highway were unable to get near the scene of the crash because of the dust storm. Picture: Tom Huntley

The dust storm hampered emergency services’ efforts to get near the scene. Picture: Tom Huntley

The highway has been closed between Halfway House Rd and Eudunda Rd because of the crash and hazardous driving conditions.

It is expected to open later this morning. There are currently diversions in place at Blanchetown and at the Eudunda turn off. Drivers are asked to avoid the area.

The crash takes the road toll to 73 compared with 43 at the same time last year.

One of the trucks was carrying a flamable load. Picture: Tom Huntley

Two truckies died in the collision. Picture: Tom Huntley