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Tractor-trailer overturns and catches fire on I-80 in Monroe County

A tractor-trailer caught fire on I-80 in Stroudsburg Friday evening.

STROUDSBURG, Pa. — An overturned tractor-trailer that caught fire on I-80 caused lane closures and restrictions in Monroe County Friday evening. A man risked his life to help the driver moments before the truck was engulfed in flames.

The eastbound lane on I-80 was closed, and westbound lanes had lane restrictions after the tractor-trailer caught fire around 7:45 p.m. on Friday. 

Scott Buchanan of Stroudsburg is seen in the image below in a cell phone video, jumping out of his black pickup truck, wasting no time rushing to the aid of the semi-truck driver that overturned in Stroudsburg.

"First thing that came through my mind was I got to stop 'cause I don't want this truck coming on me, and then my second instinct was I got to get this guy out of the truck," said Scott Buchanan.

Credit: WNEP

Buchanan said he grabbed the driver by the arms and pulled him to safety just seconds before the truck burst into flames.

"So I went over and pulled the windshield off, and I yanked the guy out; I'm like, are you ok, and he says yeah, and I'm like, 'we gotta get you out. It's gonna burn.'"

Where are the closures/restrictions?

The scene was cleared around 2 a.m. 

What happened?

The incident occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-80, near exit 305, the main street ramp. A witness tells Newswatch 16 that the truck hauling a load of air conditioners was traveling fast and tipped over at a sharp turn. The truck was fully engulfed in flames in a matter of minutes.

Large plumes of billowing smoke could be seen for miles, and traffic was at a standstill.

According to Stroudsburg's Assistant Fire Chief, the driver had serious injuries, including burns, and was flown to a hospital in the Lehigh Valley.

Credit: Liz Nati

This is a developing story; it will be updated when new details are available.

Check real-time conditions with the WNEP Traffic Tracker.

PennDOT updates are available HERE.

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