One Dead In Firey Truck Crash At Cooranbong

BY IAN CROUCH

The M1 Pacific Motorway has been reopened more than 14 hours after a firey truck crash which claimed the life of a male driver at Cooranbong.

Emergency services were called to the southbound lanes of the freeway about one kilometre south of the Freemans Drive Interchange just before 1.00pm on Monday.

Three trucks including a fuel tanker collided causing a massive explosion and fire - a car was also destroyed in the blaze which also started a bushfire which burnt through 16 hectares.

It's believed a southbound truck clipped another parked by the side of the freeway before another truck and the car crashed into the wreckage.

The drivers of the other vehicles escaped serious injury.

M1 Inferno Picture: Fairfax

Tanker Explosion on M1 Causing Major Delays: One Person Unaccounted For

BY MATT JOHNSTON AND JESSICA ROUSE

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.

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

Two People Charged Over Violent Neighbour Dispute At Cooranbong

BY IAN CROUCH

A man and woman are due to front Toronto Local Court today after a violent neighbour dispute at Cooranbong.

Around 3.30 yesterday on Thursday afternoon, it's alleged the 40 year-old man and 46-year-old woman forced their way into a neighbour's home on Currans Road, returning on several occasions over several hours.

The pair are accused of assaulting a 44-year-old man, leaving him with superficial injuries.

Police say the alleged male culprit was treated in hospital for what's been described as a significant injury after he broke a glass door to gain entry.

It's not clear what sparked the incident.

Two Young Men In Hospital After Horror Smash At Cooranbong

IAN CROUCH

A 22-year-old man is in a serious condition after a head-on smash at Cooranbong last night.

Police say a 19-year-old man from Mirrabooka was driving a Proton Neo on Freemans Drive just after 7 o'clock when he lost control and slammed into a Ford Laser.

The 22-year-old driving the Laser was trapped before being freed by the Police Rescue Squad - he was airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital with serious leg and internal injuries.

The 19-year-old was transported to the John Hunter by road ambulance with internal injuries.

Freemans Drive was closed for 5 hours while crash investigators examined the scene.