Two people are dead and six more are in hospital after a fiery truck crash on Sydney's northern beaches.
Witnesses have described the chaos that unfolded after the fuel tanker and cars collided on Mona Vale Rd at Mona Vale on Tuesday afternoon.
The tanker exploded, sending towering flames and billowing black smoke into the air.
Two people were killed and six people were taken to Royal North Shore Hospital, suffering injuries including head trauma and burns.
Three patients were in serious conditions while three others were stable, a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said.
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Mona Vale Road was closed as 10 ambulances and two emergency service helicopters rushed to the scene.
"It was like a bomb went off," said a local man who lives about 200 metres from the crash scene and only gave his name as Lee.
The 36-year-old told AAP that in the moments after the explosion there was "probably a fire trail 50 to 70 metres long".
He said that just after the truck crashed he saw the driver kick his way out of the windscreen.
"We told him to keep running," he said.
"He looked pretty bashed around.
"If it's only two people deceased its a miracle."
NSW Ambulance Deputy Commissioner Mick Willis said the first paramedics to arrive were confronted with a horrific scene.
Police are still investigating what caused the crash.
"We really are in the early stages of investigation and it is a challenging scene as you can see," Manly Police Superintendent Dave Darcy told reporters at the crash site.
According to NSW Roads and Maritime, in the past 17 years there have been five fatal crashes on the stretch of road.
Mona Vale Road remained closed on Tuesday night between Pittwater Rd and Powder Works Rd.
Motorists were being advised to use Pittwater Road, Wakehurst Parkway and Forest Way instead.
Bus routes 182, 185 and 197 are also being diverted away from Mona Vale Road.
