A truck driver has spoken of the moment he incredibly escaped after his semi-trailer slammed into a guard rail before falling off a bridge and bursting into flames.
Greg Baker, 62, was driving his B-double truck along the Hume Highway in the NSW Southern Highlands on Wednesday morning when he crashed into the barrier.
The truck fell halfway off the Wingecarribee Bridge in Berrima and burst into flames, leaving Mr Baker trapped in the vehicle.
‘The truck was being engulfed in fire and the doors wouldn’t open, nothing electrical worked,’ he told Nine News.
A truck driver has spoken of his incredible escape after his semi-trailer slammed into a guard rail before falling off a bridge and bursting into flames
Greg Baker (left) was driving his B-double truck along the Hume Highway in the NSW Southern Highlands on Wednesday when he crashed into the barrier
‘I kept on trying to open the door and barging it with my shoulder. All I can remember saying was ”Lord, don’t let me die here now”.’
With one final barge, Mr Baker managed to get the door open before fleeing for his life.
‘As I’m getting out the flames are coming up the side of the truck. It’s a miracle I’m not singed,’ he said.
The busy highway was closed in both directions as at least nine fire crews worked to extinguish a grass fire sparked by the crash.
Extraordinary footage of the inferno was posted to social media by a commuter passing by
A grass fire started after burning debris from the truck fell to the ground below.
Extraordinary footage of the inferno was posted to social media by a commuter passing by the crash in the moments immediately after the truck burst into flames.
The truck, which was carrying frozen goods, was completely destroyed.
The southbound lane was opened at 10am, but NSW Police warned commuters to expect significant delays in both directions for a number of hours.
‘The truck was being engulfed in fire and the doors wouldn’t open, nothing electrical worked,’ Mr Baker said
The busy highway was closed in both directions as at least nine fire crews worked to extinguish a grass fire sparked by the crash
The grass fire started after burning debris from the truck fell to the ground below, while the truck driver escaped serious injury
The truck fell halfway off the Wingecarribee Bridge in Berrima and burst into flames, leaving Mr Baker trapped in the vehicle