Three New Jersey state troopers rescued a truck driver, who fell into a creek, after his tractor-trailer crashed through a guardrail and caught fire along the New Jersey Turnpike.

New Jersey State Police rescue a truck driver from Overpeck Creek after his truck went off the New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey State Police rescue a truck driver from Overpeck Creek after his truck went off the New Jersey Turnpike (News 12 New Jersey via @NJSP via Twitter)
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66-year-old Lawrence Scherf of Vails Gate, New York, was transferred to St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston suffering from burns; he is in critical condition.

New Jersey State Police tweeted that the three troopers were also hospitalized as a precaution. There's no word on their conditions.

The accident blocked access to westbound Interstate 80 but traffic to the George Washington Bridge was unaffected, according to New Jersey Fast Traffic's Bob Williams.

"The driver was very fortunate that the accident occurred where it did, as a higher overpass may have had a very different outcome," Williams said.

As the clean up and investigation continue, NJ Transit said buses using the Turnpike were delayed by 30 minutes and tickets were being cross-honored on NJ Transit's Main Bergen and Pascack Valley Line.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report

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