A driver is missing and seven semi-trailers were destroyed in a fire after the trucks crashed into a recreation area near Goulburn.
“It appears two trucks collided and crashed into five other rigs at a roadside stop,” Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW) said in a statement.
Just after 5am, emergency services received reports that several lorries were on fire at the Windmills rest area on the Hume Highway at Breadalbane, 30 kilometers southwest of Goulburn.
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NSW Ambulance said six people were treated at the scene for minor injuries and one person was missing.
The two drivers were taken to Goulburn Hospital for mandatory testing.
There were reports of explosions, and a 300-meter exclusion zone was established.
“One truck was carrying eight tonnes of butane canisters, another was carrying resin, a third contained memory foam and a fourth was filled with alcohol, which contributed to the resulting fire and explosions,” FRNSW said in a statement.
Hume Highway remains closed.
Southern Tablelands Rural Fire Chief Crystal Hinds said more than a dozen fire engines from the wider area were called to the scene.
“They encountered several trucks that were on fire in the parking lot,” Superintendent Hinds said.
“Local crews were here within 20 minutes of the call, so pretty quick, and we had several crews arrive throughout the morning.”
Superintendent Hinds said she expected the road to remain closed for “a further period of time” as fire suppression and recovery operations took place.
The Hume Highway remains closed in both directions between Gunning and Cullerin Road in Breadalbane.
Just before 11am, John Pearson from the NSW Transport Control Center said the fire was out and the smoke had “almost disappeared”.
“There are a number of trucks parked and heading north so if you expect any trucks heading towards Goulburn they will be around for a while,” he said.
The exclusion zone was introduced after reports of explosions and trucks carrying flammable materials. (Supplied by: RFS NSW.)
The crime scene has been established, and an accident investigation team is currently working on the scene.
“It usually takes a while,” Mr. Pearson said.
“All I can say is still leave plenty of time for the trip.”
Motorists are urged to avoid the area and allow more than an hour of extra time to travel through Canberra on the Federal Highway and Barton Highway.