Update Sunday 10:45am
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police have confirmed the driver involved in Friday night’s spectacular truck fire on the Hume Highway near Yass was not injured.
The 64-year-old driver, from Victoria, heard a bang in the vehicle’s second trailer, saw sparks coming from the wheel. He managed to pull over and unhitch the trailer before calling emergency services.
The vehicle was carrying groceries bound for Coles Supermarkets, including aerosols, detergents and bleaches.
The highway was closed in both directions between Wargella Road and Cooks Hills Road to allow a lengthy salvage but was re-opened between 3am and 7am Saturday.
Friday 6pm:
A truck driver has reportedly escaped injured after his vehicle caught fire on the Hume Highway just before 6pm Friday.
Police and emergency services are on their way to the scene, 1km north of the Yass Valley off-ramp in the northbound lane of the Hume Highway.
Police did not have any further details at this stage.
Motorist Jen Spain said the truck’s cabin was fortunately detached from the vehicle and it appeared the dtiver had escaped before fire took hold.
She reported at least a 500-metre queue of traffic on the Hume Highway as a result.
The Traffic Management Centre advises that the Hume Highway is closed in both directions between Wargella Road and Cooks Hills Road due the truck fire.
Motorists can use the Barton Highway and Yass Valley Way instead. This alternative is suitable for all vehicles.
More details as they come to hand.