Wild scenes as commuters abandon buses after crash causes gridlock

Sydneysiders have gone to extremes on their morning commute after a serious crash closed several lanes on a major route.

Wild scenes have unfolded as commuters ditched public transport and walked along a major roadway after a serious crash closed several lanes the Spit Bridge.

One person was trapped inside their “completely crushed” vehicle after colliding with a truck on the bridge in Manly at about 7.30am on Monday.

Two of three outbound lanes were closed on the bridge as emergency crews worked to free the person from the vehicle and clear the scene.

Commuters were warned of major delays as heavy traffic built southbound towards the city.

The delays proved too much for some Sydneysiders, who decided to abandon buses while stranded at the Burnt Bridge deviation at Seaforth, as reported by the Manly Observer.

Several lanes were closed to traffic as crews worked to clear the scene of the crash. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

Frustrated passengers fled packed buses during their morning commute, opting to walk nearly 1km to the intersection of Sydney and Spit Roads in search of alternative routes.

Dozens of people were seen jumping fences and going on an “unplanned bushwalk” through Balgowlah to make their way to Manly, while it was reported others simply walked home.

Footage shows dozens of passengers walking along the 80km/h roadway.

Commuters have been forced to ditch public transport after a serious crash closed several lanes on the Spit Bridge on Monday morning. Picture: Facebook/The Manly Observer

Some commuters reportedly chose to simply go back home amid heavy traffic delays. Picture: Facebook/The Manly Observer

The desperate measures come after the area was gridlocked for nearly an hour.

The Transport Management Centre said in a statement that southbound traffic had returned to normal, while northbound traffic remained heavy due to an unrelated bus breakdown.

Buses in the area are still delayed and passengers are urged to allow extra travel time.

Commuters have been forced to ditch public transport after a serious crash closed several lanes on the Spit Bridge on Monday morning. Picture: Facebook/The Manly Observer

Split Bridge has been shut after a car was reportedly crushed in Manly. Picture: Facebook

A car has been reportedly crushed by a truck. Picture: Facebook

Several outbound lanes were closed on the Spit Bridge as emergency crews worked to clear the scene. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

The person who was trapped inside the vehicle has since been transported to hospital. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Andrew Dewberry described the car involved in the crash as “completely crushed and mangled”.

Crews used hydraulic tools to cut through the vehicle to free the person who was “severely trapped” in the wreckage.

NSW Ambulance have confirmed the person suffered only minor injuries, which Superintendent Dewberry said was “miraculous”.

They have since been transported to Royal North Shore Hospital with neck and back injuries.

Many people were stunned after seeing the wreckage.

“How good are those first responders to get him out alive.. bloody heroes every single one of them,” one person said.

“That is a miracle,” another said.

“So glad he is OK! He should buy a lotto ticket, thankyou to the amazing first responses you do an amazing job,” another said.

Originally published as Wild scenes as commuters abandon buses after crash causes gridlock