A car has exploded into flames on the Sydney Harbour Bridge after colliding with another vehicle.
Emergency services have managed to extinguish the flames but the bridge remains closed in both directions.
Two of the drivers – a man and a woman – were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, with the man taken to Royal North Shore Hospital and the woman to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of a van was trapped and freed by rescue operatives, before he was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Other motorists reported hearing an explosion on the bridge.
Horrifying pictures showed the car surrounded by flames as smoke billowed from the bridge.
A spokesperson from Fire and Rescue told the Today Show that an officer from the Traffic Management Centre dragged the van away from the fiery vehicle.
The Transport Management Centre said advised motorists to avoid the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use the Sydney Harbour Tunnel as an alternative,” it said in a statement.
“Traffic is very heavy in both directions. Emergency services are on scene.
“Buses through the area will also be delayed.”
Traffic was backed up across the city as emergency services attended the scene.
Transport NSW advised motorists to avoid crossing the bridge as peak-hour traffic was heavily impacted.
2GB’s Tom Malone said he was about two kilometres west of the crash when he heard a loud explosion.
“You couldxjmtzyw easily see naked flame, it must be four- to five-metre flames coming out of the explosion,” he said.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is being undertaken by the specialsit Crash Investigation Unit.
