Man escapes from burning lorry on A64

The HGV on the A64 - Photo by North Yorkshire Police

A lorry driver made a miraculous escape from his vehicle this morning after it became engulfed in flames on the A64, near Tadcaster.

Police were called on Thursday 4 September after reports that a lorry had caught fire on the hard shoulder of the eastbound carriageway of the A64 near Copmanthorpe.

Traffic was at a standstill as the eastbound carriageway remained fully closed while North Yorkshire Fire crews put the blaze out.

After the fire, crews dealt with a considerable amount of diesel on the carriageway meaning only one lane was able to reopen.

North Yorkshire Police urged travellers to avoid the area despite managing to open a second lane after the incident.

Fortunately the driver of the HGV managed to escape from his vehicle before it set alight and police reported the lorry had been recovered.

The road was expected fully reopened at around 11.45am.