NEW YORK --
The body of the driver was found inside a tanker truck that overturned and burst into flames on the Van Wyck Expressway, police said.
The incident happened on the northbound ramp at North Conduit Avenue at around 12:15 p.m., according to NYPD Traffic Management. The area is near John F. Kennedy International Airport in the South Ozone Park section.
The Van Wyck was reopened in both directions at around 1:25 p.m., but North Conduit Avenue and the ramp remained closed until 10 p.m.
Chopper 4 shot video of the scene, showing the tanker lying on its side. Firefighters battled the flames from two directions, dousing the flames with streams of foam. Flames continued to consume the tank at around 1 p.m., and foam covered the roadway near the truck.
Because fuel leaked from the tanker, small flames also were burning the ground.
At least four firetrucks and dozens of firefighters were at the scene.
The New York City Office of Emergency Management said it heard reports of several explosions from the area.
Crews worked feverishly into the night to clean up the mess.
The ramp from the Belt Parkway to the Van Wyck remained closed into the night, but city officials said they expected to have it opened in time for the morning commute.
Police said they are continuing to investigate what caused the driver to lose control.
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