Trapped truck driver freed in Melbourne after crash shuts down large sections of Monash Freeway

A truck driver left trapped in Melbourne has been freed after a crash that shut down inbound lanes on the Monash Freeway.

Authorities say the driver, believed to be aged in his fifties, was freed from the vehicle after about an hour.

He suffered a serious injury to his leg and was transferred to The Alfred Hospital in a serious condition.

Another man sustained a minor back injury and was taken to the same hospital in a stable condition.

Police said a truck travelling outbound lost its tyre at about 8.20am, which then bounced across the other side of the freeway.

"The tyre hit a truck on the inbound lanes and caused it to crash," a police spokeswoman said.

Officials say the Monash Freeway is closed in both directions and may not re-open until later this afternoon.

Inbound traffic is being diverted along Warrigal Road and outbound traffic is being diverted at Toorak Road, with heavy delays being reported.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

Ambulance Victoria said the incident was just one of five collisions in a matter of 12 minutes this morning.