Three men injured when their ute explodes in flames on the M1
POLICE are investigating whether an aerosol can may have ignited in the back of a utility causing it to be engulfed in flames on the M1 overnight.
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POLICE are investigating whether an aerosol can may have ignited in the front seat of a utility causing it to be engulfed in flames on the M1 overnight.
The Toyota ute was travelling northbound with two brothers and a friend near the Somersby exit shortly after 10pm when the cabin exploded in flames causing the 27-year-old driver to pull on the handbrake.
The ute swerved off the roadway and slammed into the guardrail.
A 25-year-old rear seat passenger saw the flames and jumped from the vehicle while it was still moving.
The 38-year-old front seat passenger escaped from the vehicle after it stopped and pulled the driver from the car.
The two passengers then dragged the driver away from the vehicle.
Emergency services were quickly on the scene and fire fighters extinguished the blaze however the interior of the vehicle was completely destroyed.
Brisbane Water police attended and commenced investigations into the incident.
The driver sustained major burns to 18 per cent of his body and was treated at the scene before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital.
The rear seat passenger was conveyed to Gosford Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and minor burns he suffered after he jumped from the moving vehicle.
The vehicle was seized for mechanical examination.
A police spokesman said officers were investigating the cause of the blaze with initial inquiries suggesting an exploding aerosol can near the front seat may have been responsible.
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