A 44-year-old man died on Monday afternoon (August 18) following a violent collision between a car and a truck on the IC1 road near São Bartolomeu de Messines, Silves.
The crash, which happened at around 2pm, left the man trapped inside his car. Moments after impact, the vehicle caught fire and flames quickly spread to the surrounding scrubland, according to reports in the national press. Firefighters rushed to the scene and, with the support of an aerial unit, managed to bring the blaze under control before it caused further damage.
Despite their efforts, the driver of the car could not be saved. He was pronounced dead at the scene after being removed from the wreckage.
The truck driver sustained only minor injuries and was taken to Portimão Hospital for treatment.
The accident forced authorities to cut traffic in both directions along the IC1 for several hours, causing significant disruption to drivers in the area.
The GNR’s accident investigation unit has opened an inquiry and is working to determine the causes of the crash.
