Port Macquarie: Incredible drone pictures show devastation from fiery Pacific Highway truck crash
Incredible images and video show the devastation following a fiery two-truck crash on the Pacific Highway, which could take days to clear. A man, 52, and woman, 41, died at the scene.
Mid-North Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mid-North Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Remarkable images taken from the sky reveal the aftermath from a devastating truck crash along the Pacific Highway which killed two people on Friday morning.
Just after 3.30am, emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway – about 1km south of the Oxley Highway off-ramp at Thrumster – following reports two trucks had crashed.
The fiery inferno left a wake of devastation in its path – closing the highway in both directions.
The drivers of both vehicles, a 41-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man, died at the scene.
Officers from Mid North Coast Police District and Coffs-Mid Coast Traffic and Highway Patrol attended and located both trucks well alight.
Several trees and bushes along the highway were also on fire. Officers from NSW Rural Fire Service extinguished the blaze a short time later.
All northbound lanes on the Pacific Highway have been closed. A contraflow is in place on the southbound lanes and is expected to be in place for some time.
Fire and Rescue NSW said the trucks sparked a “large fire and HAZMAT incident”, with both trucks on fire.
Fire crews used foam to contain and extinguish the fire, with HAZMAT crews monitoring truck contents and water run-off.
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Jameson said the variety of cargo strewn across the highway was ‘mixed.’
Nearly 12 hours after the incident, he said the wreckage of both vehicles was still smouldering from the fire.
He said it could take ‘days’ for the site to be cleared.
“At this stage, police operations and repairs by RMS may take a number of days,” Insp Jameson said.
All northbound lanes on the Pacific Highway have been closed and a contraflow will be established on southbound lanes.
Police are urging motorists to avoid the area, with traffic diverting in both directions through Wauchope along Oxley Hwy and Bago Rd.
The diversion is not suitable for B-doubles and these are being parked until the highway reopens.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area and to check www.livetraffic.com for updates.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has been commenced.
Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.
More Coverage
‘Back with the black dog’: Phone call that saved truckie’s life
Losing three truckie mates to suicide had a profound impact on Ian Taylor, who’s been in the industry for 20 years. After struggling with “the black dog” himself, he’s reminding others “you’re never alone” on Mental Health Day.
Read more
‘They were huge’: Red-bellied black snakes in heated tussle
A Mid-North Coast nature lover has captured a “mesmerising” video of two big snakes tangled up in a fiery wrestling match. Take a look and see what an expert had to say.
Read more