If you had plans to head into Sydney this morning, you should rethink your route.

A serious multi-vehicle accident on the Hawkesbury River Bridge near Mooney Mooney brought traffic to a grinding halt.

This accident caused chaos for thousands of commuters and left emergency services racing against time.

At around 7:20 am Thursday, emergency services were called to the scene of a major crash on the southbound lanes of the M1, 58 km north of Sydney.

Early reports indicated that a truck and a private vehicle collided on the bridge, which resulted in a complex situation.

The truck driver was left 'severely trapped' in the wreckage, which prompted a response from Fire and Rescue NSW, ambulance paramedics, and the police.

The traffic jam has extended to several kilometres, affecting drivers and commuters. Image Credit: Live Traffic NSW

'We have a very serious crash, someone severely trapped in one of the vehicles, ambulance paramedics are on the scene stabilising,' Superintendent Adam Dewberry from Fire and Rescue NSW stated.

'Firefighters are working with the paramedics to start to work out how to rescue this person out of the vehicle.'

'That includes cutting and pushing of the vehicle to gain access to it so they can treat the injuries and then get them out and into hospital as soon as possible,' Superintendent Dewberry added.

As of the latest updates, the condition of the truck driver remains unknown.

The crash has forced authorities to close all southbound lanes of the M1 at the Hawkesbury River Bridge.

Meanwhile, only one of the three northbound lanes is open.

The incident caused a standstill on the road, with queues stretching for kilometres.

Northbound congestion also reached about three kilometres long.

Authorities urged motorists to avoid the area entirely if possible.

For those already on the road, authorities recommended exiting via the Mount White Interchange and using the Pacific Highway as a diversion.

However, the said detour may only be suitable for light vehicles.

For many Australians, the M1 is a lifeline connecting the Central Coast, Newcastle, and the Hunter region with Sydney.

When a major incident like this occurs, it doesn't only affect those involved—it could also impact thousands of commuters, delivery drivers, and emergency services.

Bridges like the Hawkesbury River Bridge have been particularly vulnerable to traffic chaos because of limited alternative routes.

Incidents like this should be a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong on the road, especially during busy periods.

In the meantime, please drive carefully and look out for each other on the roads.

Key Takeaways

• A major accident involving a truck and private vehicle occurred on the Hawkesbury River Bridge early Thursday morning.
• Emergency services have been working to free a truck driver 'severely trapped' in their vehicle.
• The crash caused significant delays on the M1, with all southbound lanes closed and traffic at a standstill for kilometres during peak hours.
• Authorities advised motorists to avoid the area and use diversions via the Mount White Interchange for the Pacific Highway and warned of lengthy delays for heavy vehicles.

Were you affected by the said traffic jam? Have you been caught in a similar situation on other roads? Do you have any alternative routes you would like to share with your fellow drivers? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

That is twice in a week, the 1st one the metal shards.
I used to live near Mooney Mooney and by this picture above the old Pacific Highway looks bumper to bumper over the old bridge but its better than at a standstill on the Pacific Motorway or M1.