A truck driver has been pulled from his cabin moments before his vehicle burst into flames after crashing on the West Gate freeway.

The truck, which was carrying an empty shipping container, was travelling west in the City Link exit lanes about 2am this morning when it crashed through metal road barriers.

It careered forward another 150 metres before coming to rest in a reserve.

MFB Commander Phil Rogan says a Noble Park man, 44, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Adding to the traffic woes, authorities say there was a five-car nose-to-tail in the area because drivers were rubber necking, instead of looking at cars in front of them.

A woman, 37, involved in one of those crashes was taken to hospital for observation .