Sydney man stops traffic to save truckie as vehicle catches fire
A hero mechanic has recalled the moment he stopped traffic to save a truckie whose vehicle was on fire on a major motorway.
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A hero mechanic has pulled a truck driver from his burning vehicle on a major motorway.
Sydney man Jon Hutchen was driving along the M1 motorway in south Sydney when he noticed flames engulfing the wheels of a truck at Berowra on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Hutchen pulled over and immediately grabbed the driver – who was unaware his vehicle was on fire – from the truck.
“He was just literally in shock, he didn’t know what to say,” Mr Hutchen told the Nine Network.
The mechanic then began flagging down trucks along the motorway to find a large extinguisher to put out the fire.
BEROWRA: 2 of 3 northbound lanes closed on the M1 Pacific Mwy due to a truck fire. Drive with care and allow extra time. pic.twitter.com/XrhLwuzUSQ
— Live Traffic Sydney (@LiveTrafficSyd) June 14, 2022
“I stopped eight semis and pulled out all their fire extinguishers and contained it until the fireys got there,” Mr Hutchen said.
“I kind of caused all the traffic by stopping all the traffic trying to get fire extinguishers.”
Mr Hutchen said the move triggered traffic delays and blockages along the motorway from Berowra to Asquith.
“I’m sorry to everyone that I blocked, but if it didn’t happen a family driving past could’ve been hurt,” he said.
The mechanic thanked everyone on the road that morning, including the “truckies” that stopped to help him contain the fire.
“I’m just glad no one got hurt,” he said.
MOORE PARK: 1 of 2 northbound lanes is closed on the Eastern Distributor due to a crash near Cleveland St. Traffic's heavy so allow plenty of extra travel time. pic.twitter.com/8sGDsS2yti
— Live Traffic Sydney (@LiveTrafficSyd) June 14, 2022
Mr Hutchen has reached out to get in contact with the truck driver.
“I would like to know to know his name,” he said.
All lanes have since reopened.
On Wednesday morning, northbound commuters travelling on the Eastern Distributor near Cleveland Street came to a standstill following a major crash.
Drivers are warned of hefty delays and have been urged to “allow plenty of extra travel time”.
Originally published as Sydney man stops traffic to save truckie as vehicle catches fire
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