Two truck drivers have had a lucky escape after their rigs collided and burst into flames in the southern Riverina on Monday night.
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Two semi-trailers were travelling north on the Newell Highway at Jerilderie when they crashed head-on around one kilometre from the township near Showground Road at about 10.30pm.
The driver of each truck managed to extricate themselves from the cab and escape without being seriously hurt before the vehicles caught fire, police said.
An extensive salvage operation is under way on the Newell Highway, which was been closed overnight as emergency services conduct investigations and work through the clean-up.
Drivers heading in both directions are being rerouted through Jerilderie along Showground and Jerilderie roads, crossing the creek at Bolten Street, however a significant diversion is in place for B-doubles.
B-double drivers are advised to use the Cobb or Sturt highways instead, with no forecast of when the Newell will fully reopen.
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Murray River Police District investigators have urged anyone who witnessed the crash or may have dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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