The collision saw fire and explosions light up the early morning dark near Goulburn yesterday (30 June). Photo: Live Traffic NSW.
A union has urged further action to ensure truckies’ safety in the wake of a major truck collision in regional NSW.
Emergency services were called yesterday (30 June) to the Windmills Rest Area parking area, on the northbound side of the Hume Highway at Breadalbane, about 32 kilometres south-west of Goulburn.
It left the road shut in both directions from about 5 am for much of the day.
The highway has since reopened.
Officers attached to The Hume Police District have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, with assistance from the Crash Investigation Unit.
Police say their initial investigation suggests two trucks collided, sparking a blaze that spread to four nearby trucks.
A NSW Police spokesperson said six male drivers were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Two drivers (aged 23 and 28) were taken to Goulburn Hospital for mandatory testing.
Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) National Secretary Michael Kaine said the incident could have had “catastrophic consequences”.
“We need to lift standards in trucking, where transport clients are demanding faster and cheaper transport, piling pressure on workers to rush, delay vital truck maintenance and skip rest breaks,” he said.
A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) spokesperson said it took about five hours for 40 firefighters to bring the blaze under control, which was fuelled by the trucks’ chemical loads.
During the operation, FRNSW HAZMAT crews flew a specialist drone from Sydney to analyse the plume of smoke over the crash scene.
This so-called ‘sniffer’ drone has the ability to detect a range of dangerous chemicals.
It found there was no additional risk to the community.
Earlier in the day, a FRNSW spokesperson confirmed the trucks were carrying a variety of chemicals – including eight tonnes of butane cans, resin, and alcohol – which started a blaze that destroyed multiple vehicles.
While authorities initially believed seven vehicles were involved, an inspection by firefighters revealed six. One of the semi-trailers had been cut in half.
Mr Kaine said trucking accidents were becoming “all-to-common” in the industry.
In 2026, 88 people were killed in truck-related crashes, 23 of them truck drivers, according to the union.
He said it was time the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) launched an investigation into the supply chains of the involved companies as part of a push to improve industry standards.
“While the community grapples with the extent of the devastation caused in this incident and how it happened, we know that there are huge and deadly pressures in this industry with dreadful consequences for workers and the entire community.
“The call cannot be clearer: the NHVR must investigate this incident which could have had catastrophic consequences for these drivers and the broader public.
“They must investigate the whole supply chains involved — not just the drivers and the companies, which have the least power.”
