Around 5 a.m. on 5/8, a tractor-trailer with Hai Phong plates, driven by a 39-year-old driver from Yen Khanh, Ninh Binh, was traveling on the North-South expressway's National Highway 45 - Nghi Son section, heading from Thanh Hoa towards Nghe An. Upon reaching Truc Lam ward in Nghi Son city, the vehicle rear-ended another tractor-trailer with Bac Giang plates traveling in the same direction.

Police break the cabin to rescue the trapped driver. Photo: Lam Son

The impact severely damaged the front of the Hai Phong vehicle, trapping the driver inside the cabin. Dozens of officers and specialized equipment from the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police rescue team were dispatched to the scene. Due to the driver being trapped in the deformed cabin, rescuers had to cut through multiple layers of metal to reach him. After over an hour, the driver was extricated but had already succumbed to severe injuries.

The accident caused significant traffic congestion on the National Highway 45 - Nghi Son expressway section for several hours. By late morning, the scene was cleared, and traffic flow resumed.

The Hai Phong tractor-trailer with its front crushed. Photo: Lam Son

According to investigators, the initial assessment indicates the driver of the trailing vehicle failed to maintain a safe following distance due to inadequate observation.

The 43 km National Highway 45 - Nghi Son expressway, passing through Thanh Hoa province, has four lanes but lacks emergency stopping lanes, featuring only designated stopping bays. The route has a design speed of 60-90 km/h and a total investment of over 5,500 billion VND. It opened in 9/2023 and currently does not charge tolls.

Le Hoang