A 29-year-old Indian-origin truck driver has died after his road train carrying aerosol cans crashed into a broken-down truck and erupted into flames on the Hume Highway in New South Wales.
As per reports in Punjabi media and community group, the deceased has been identified as Sukhjinder Singh Sandhu, originally from Vaironangal village near Batala in Punjab. He had moved to Australia in 2018 and was working as a heavy vehicle driver based in Melbourne.
The fatal crash occurred shortly after 4am on Friday near Breadalbane, about 32 kilometres south-west of Goulburn, while Sandhu was travelling from Melbourne towards Sydney.
According to NSW Police, a B-double truck carrying groceries had suffered mechanical problems and broken down in the left lane of the Hume Highway.
Police told ABC that the driver had exited the vehicle, activated the required hazard warnings and alerted nearby truck drivers over the CB radio.
A short time later, Sandhu’s road train, carrying aerosol cans and other flammable products, collided with the rear of the stationary truck.
The impact sparked a massive explosion, with both trucks becoming engulfed in flames.
Despite desperate attempts by nearby truck drivers to rescue him, the fire spread rapidly, trapping Sandhu inside the cabin. He died at the scene.
The 31-year-old driver of the broken-down B-double sustained minor head injuries and was taken to Yass Hospital in a stable condition, where he underwent mandatory testing.
NSW Police said a report would be prepared for the Coroner.
Firefighters remained at the scene for several hours as the flammable cargo continued to smoulder. The crash temporarily closed the Hume Highway, Australia’s busiest freight corridor linking Sydney and Melbourne, before all lanes were reopened following an extensive clean-up operation.
As per community social media group, friends of Sandhu living in Australia informed his family in Punjab about the tragedy.
His family said he had married about a year ago before returning to Australia to continue working. They also revealed he had spoken with his father by phone shortly before the fatal journey.
The sudden loss has left his family and the local community in deep shock.
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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