Chaos on major highway after 10-vehicle collision, truck driver trapped

Traffic is being diverted after a multi-vehicle crash on a major motorway, leaving a truck driver trapped inside the vehicle.

A driver is free after becoming “severely trapped” in their truck in a multi-vehicle collision on a bridge on a major Sydney motorway, sparking chaos on the roads during peak hour.

One southbound lane on the M1 Pacific Motorway remainsshut for commuters after a truck and a car crashed on the Hawkesbury River Bridge in Mooney shortly before7.20am on Thursday,leading to significant outbound delays.

The delays are building past Mount White and towards The Central Coast. Picture: Live Traffic NSW

“On arrival, officers attached to Brisbane Water Police District and Highway Patrol found up to 10 vehicles involved including a truck,” a NSW Police spokesman told NewsWire.

There was no fire but the truck driver became trapped inside the vehicle.

Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry told 2GB the truck driver was “severely trapped” inside the vehicle for 90 minutes, with crews working to remove him.

“We have a very serious crash, someone severely trapped in one of the vehicles, ambulance paramedics are on the scene stabilising,” he said.

Traffic on the Hawkesbury River Bridge after a serious crash on Thursday morning. Picture: Live Traffic NSW

Emergency crews, including a tow truck and Toll helicopter, are on the scene.

Superintendent Dewberry told 2GB that firefighters were also on the scene to “work out how to rescue this person out of the vehicle”.

“That includes cutting and pushing of the vehicle to gain access to it so they can treat the injuries and then get them out and into hospital as soon as possible,” he said.

As of 8.40am, the truck driver was freed from the vehicle. They suffered leg and pelvis injuries, a NSW Ambulance spokesman told NewsWire.

A Toll rescue helicopter has landed at the scene to assist transporting the injured driver. Picture: Live Traffic NSW

Cars are at a standstill along the motorway, with traffic stretching for kilometres.

Two southbound lanes and all northbound lanes have reopened, and the diversion onto the Pacific Highway at Mount White has been lifted, Transport for NSW confirmed.

“One of three southbound lanes of the M1 remains closed as the clean-up and vehicle recovery operation continues,” the spokesman told NewsWire.

Live Traffic NSW said traffic remained heavy and warned drivers to expect delays.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and “allow plenty of extra travel time”.

Originally published as Chaos on major highway after 10-vehicle collision, truck driver trapped