A TRUCK driver has narrowly avoided serious injuries after running off the side of the Hume Highway.
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The white Xtra Transport Services B-double had been travelling southbound on Thursday night.
The vehicle left the right side of the road about 10pm and collided with several trees before coming to a stop in the median strip.
The incident occurred several kilometres south of Holbrook and the 55-year-old driver was taken to Albury hospital.
The man had non-life threatening injuries.
The accident occurred in wet conditions and the truck became bogged down to its axles in dirt and mud.
Heavy haulage equipment was brought in for a lengthy removal process which required the southbound lanes of the road to be closed to traffic for a short period of time.
The towing job was made more difficult by the wet weather.
The driver from the Sydney-based company had narrowly avoided several large trees but the truck cabin was damaged by smaller trees and bushes.
Police attended the scene and helped with traffic control as the area was cleared.
The crash was one of several incidents emergency services have responded to in recent days as extensive rain and strong winds caused problems.
The Border largely avoided any serious car crashes but the SES was been busy responding to fallen trees.
Spokesman Mark Dorey said there had been 14 requests for assistance in the North East on Thursday.
“Those have all been for fallen trees causing traffic hazards,” he said.
“Overall it’s been pretty cold but the weather hasn’t really translated into any major damage or destructive winds.”
Albury has recorded rainfall on all but six days this month and the wet weather shows no signs of abating.
Rain has been forecast on five days next week.
Minor flood warnings have been issued in recent days but have failed to eventuate.
Albury SES community engagement officer Tim Keown told The Border Mail the rescue group hadn’t had any recent jobs.
But he said heavy rainfall had the potential to cause trees to fall when coupled with strong winds.
“The main thing to be aware of is falling trees when it’s windy with the wet ground,” he said.
“People should also stay away from flood waters and should steer clear of storm damage.”
Mr Keown urged people to clear their gutters and remove any overhanging branches to ensure the gutters didn’t become clogged, which he said could cause roofs to leak.