UPDATE: A B-double which caught on fire on Friday morning was carrying frozen chickens, which will need to be hauled out of the burnt out truck.
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The 53-year-old man collided with an unoccupied stationary truck in the southbound lanes of the Hume Highway on Friday morning.
The crash occurred about 5.40am at Table Top, near Burma Road, and caused the driver’s truck to catch on fire.
He managed to free himself from the B-double before it was destroyed.
He was treated at the scene for minor injuries and was taken to Albury hospital.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Stewart Alexander said about 40 firefighters had responded to the incident.
“On arrival, crews found the truck well alight and immediately started firefighting,” he said.
“There’s no water supply out there.
“We had to ferry that in with multiple tankers.”
The driver will undergo testing for drugs and alcohol.
The B-double was stocked with frozen chickens.
Superintendent Alexander said firefighters checked with Environment Protection Authority staff, who said the burnt birds wouldn’t pose any risk.
“The driver is fortunate not to be seriously injured,” Inspector Alexander said.
“Very fortunate.”
EARLIER: The northbound freeway lanes are now open.
Both southbound lanes between the Olympic Highway and Tynan Road are closed at least a few more hours.
Southbound traffic is being diverted through Gerogery.
EARLIER: Long delays are expected on the southbound lanes of the Hume Highway this morning following a crash involving a B-Double that caused a grass fire around 6am on Friday.
Emergency services are still on the scene. The southbound lanes at Table Top are blocked and one northbound lane has been closed. Diversions are in place.
The truck driver has been transported to hospital with minor injuries. More to come.
EARLIER: