A truck driver hauling a trailer loaded with apples was seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a crash on U.S. Highway 97 north of Madras, according to a news release from the Oregon State Police.

Around 3 p.m., a truck driven by Kesar Bhatti, 51, of Stockton, Calif., slipped off the shoulder of the highway while headed south about three miles north of Madras. The truck crashed into a field, spilling apples on the highway and in the field. Several gallons of diesel fuel escaped but were contained by fire personnel.

Bhatti was pinned inside the truck and had to be extricated by fire personnel. He was taken to St. Charles Bend in an AirLink helicopter ambulance.

The southbound lane of the highway was closed for approximately 11/2 hours.