MONTREAL - A man died Wednesday morning when the garbage truck he was driving caught fire after an accident on Highway 20 near Boucherville.

The incident occurred at about 6:20 a.m. near a construction zone not far from Mortagne Blvd.

The driver was travelling westbound and lost control of his vehicle before crossing the median.

The truck then hit a wall, flipped on its side and a fire broke out in the cabin.

The driver, 40, was unable to escape the blaze and died in the fire.

His passenger managed to get out with only minor injuries.

The highway was closed in both directions because a signal structure was damaged by the accident.

Several firefighters and police officers came to the site and Transports Quebec recommended that drivers avoid the area.

-With a file from The Canadian Press