A lorry laden with fireworks crashed with a car causing the pyrotechnics to ignite and set off an unexpected and epic motorway display.
The sky above the Beijing-Harbin expressway in China was filled with colours and rapid popping sounds following the accident on December 23.
Traffic came to a standstill and motorists scrambled for safety as the lorry became engulfed in flames and hundreds of fireworks went off.
Those at a safe distance stood in groups and watched the display – which was filmed and shared on social media – with one person even perching on the top of their car bonnet for a good view.
Incredibly, no casualties were reported, with the lorry driver escaping his vehicle in time and alerting others.
According to some eyewitnesses, he then calmly lit up a cigarette while looking up at fireworks-filled sky.
The man reportedly said to those standing near him: ‘I’ve been in freight transport for so many years, and this is by far the most extravagant experience I’ve had.
‘Others spend hundreds of thousands on fireworks displays, but with this truckload of fireworks, I set it all off without spending a dime.
‘Although it pains me, I guess you could call it a kind of “miraculous accident”.’
Authorities said the explosion followed a collision between the lorry carrying wireworks and another vehicle.
As the New Year approaches, officials in China have urged the public to prioritise safety and follow regulations during the festive season.
A similar incident happened in October last year on the Trans-Canada Highway, east of Vancouver, Canada, when a lorry accidentally bumped into a trailer carrying $100,000 of fireworks.
The minor collision caused a small spark that ignited the fireworks, leading to a display that lasted an hour.
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