Passersby Help Trucker Trapped In Explosive Big Rig Crash

GRANADA HILLS, CA —One person is in critical condition after being trapped in the fiery wreckage of a collision between two big rigs on the Golden State (5) Freeway in Granada Hills Wednesday.

The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert shortly after noon Wednesday when two trucks crashed near Roxford Street. The SigAlert on the Southbound side of the freeway near the San Diego (405) transition was expected to last eight hours. All lanes were reopened as of 8:30 p.m. except for the truck lane.

According to the CHP, the two trucks crashed, causing one of the tankers to catch fire and then explode sending smoke billowing into the sky. The impact of the crash sent one of the trucks through the freeway guardrail, according to the CHP.

One truck filled with meat was burnt to a crisp, and fuel spilled into the roadway. Hazmat crews worked for nearly 10 hours to clean the mess.

Los Angeles Fire Department crews worked to free the person trapped in the burning truck.

"One male driver successfully escaped his burning cab, and passing motorists stopped to help extinguish the flames on his clothes and body," said LAFD spokeswoman Lyndsey Lantz.

The victim was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

Several lanes remained blocked amid the cleanup and ongoing investigation.