Truck driver on NSW Central Coast has lucky escape after his vehicle explodes on motorway

A truck driver has escaped major injury in an explosive crash that forced the temporary closure of part of the main highway through the NSW Central Coast.

Fire crews remained on the scene late into Tuesday morning after the crash on the M1 Pacific Motorway northbound at Ourimbah, north of Gosford, about 9.20pm on Monday.

The Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade said a truck collided with the guard rail, causing an explosion.

The vehicle was “severely damaged” and debris scattered across the road but the driver received only minor injuries and did not need further treatment, firefighters said.

Just before 10.30pm, Live Traffic NSW said the M1 Pacific Motorway was closed northbound.

One of the three lanes reopened in the following hours but it said traffic was heavy and urged drivers to use the Central Coast Highway and allow extra travel time.

Police confirmed the driver had suffered minor injuries and said Hazmat crews were involved in the clean up.