One person has died after a tractor-trailer went off the Thruway in Athens on Wednesday. This was one of two tractor-trailer accidents in that area on Wednesday.

The deadly crash happened in the northbound lane of Exit 21 around 4 p.m.

The truck went down an embankment and caught fire, State Police said.

Sean Horsford, 54, of Queens, died at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call New York State Police in Catskill at 518-622-8600..

The second crash happened on the Thruway headed south in the town of Athens about an hour later.

The truck rolled over on the right shoulder, police said. At one point, the crash caused a traffic backup for two miles, they said.

Only the left lane was open to traffic for a time. There were minor injuries, according to State Police.