BY IAN CROUCH

The New England Highway through Singleton has been closed after a serious truck crash involving 8 cars at Singleton.

The crash occurred just before 9.00am with a semi-trailer loaded with mushroom compost ploughing into several cars on the highway near Burdekin Park before crashing into the Royal Hotel and bursting into flames.

The NSW Ambulance Service says paramedics are treating 4 patients at the scene, two have serious injuries. One, a 63-year-old woman suffered leg and pelvic fractures, while a 67-year-old male patient has head and chest injuries.

The Hunter’s Westpac Rescue helicopter has been dispatched to the scene

It’s understood the truck was stolen earlier this morning from the BP service station at Murrurundi while the owner driver was paying for fuel.

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Police say the truck was allegedly sighted driving erratically south along the New England
Highway, through Muswellbrook and towards Singleton but a pursuit was not initiated.

As the truck approached Singleton, officers deployed road spikes in order to
stop the vehicle.

Police say the truck continued into George Street, Singleton, where it caught fire after
crashing into several vehicles and buildings, injuring a number of people.

The driver of the alleged stolen truck was arrested at the scene and is
currently assisting police with inquiries.

A critical incident team from Port Stephens Local Area Command will now
investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident including the deployment
of road spikes.
Stolen Truck Erupts In Fireball At Singleton Picture: the herald.com.au