UPDATE: 3PM
One person is unaccounted for after two trucks, including a fuel tanker collided on the M1.
Emergency services were called to the southbound lanes at about 12:50pm following reports a truck had caught fire.
A car was damaged in the inferno as well.
The Rural Fire Service is on the scene as the truck fire also sparked a bush fire north of the crash site. It's currently out of control and about 15 hectares in size.
Police are on scene and crash investigators will examine all of the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Motorists should delay their travel and completely avoid the area if possible.
Diversions are in place northbound via Mandalong Road and southbound via the Palmers Road exit.
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| Image 9News Twitter. |
UPDATE: 2:40pm
Two trucks and a car are involved in the crash.
Southbound traffic is queued for 12km and northbound traffic is queued for 7.5km.
It's estimated delays will add over an hour and a half to travel times.
Police are warning drivers to avoid the M1, with diversions in place through Morisset.
Traffic is also "very heavy" on Freemans Dr, Mandalong Rd and Wyee Rd.
Smoke is reducing visibility in the area.
EARLIER
Heavy traffic is backing up on the M1 with both north and southbound lanes closed.
Initial reports were a B-double had caught fire just after 1pm, blocking both lanes.
The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter is en route along with emergency services following reports a tanker has exploded.
Ambulance paramedics have assessed the driver of the B-double at the scene and report he is uninjured.
The Rural Fire Service are on scene as the fire has spread to nearby bushland.
Drivers are being cautioned to allow extra travel time due to heavy delays.
More details to come.
#NSWRFS & #FRNSW are on scene at a truck crash on the #M1 motorway One of the vehicles has caught on fire which has spread to near by bush land. The #M1 is closed. If travelling in the area please give way to emergency services vehicles responding to the scene. pic.twitter.com/5lMQ2lUwzC— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 15, 2018
#UPDATE: More @NSWRFS resources are on the way to a major crash on the M1 near Cooranbong. It's believed the truck driver self-evacuated. #9News pic.twitter.com/dPPheVwRqD— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) January 15, 2018
