A 19-year-old motorcycle rider has suffered serious injuries after a three-vehicle crash in the area of Cromar, east of Courtright, Ont.

OPP and emergency crews were called to the scene at the intersection of Mandaumin Road and Courtright Line around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Officials say the crash involved an empty tanker truck, a pickup and a motorcycle.

According to investigators, the pickup was southbound on Mandaumin when it collided with the tanker, which was westbound on Courtright, causing the pickup to roll and the tanker to jackknife.

The out-of-control tanker then came into contact with an eastbound motorcycle.

The 19-year-old male motorcycle rider was airlifted to a London hospital with serious injuries.

The 65-year-old male driver of the transport was treated at the scene and the 89-year-old male pickup driver was transported to hospital by land ambulance with unknown injuries.

The collision caused a small fire, but police say it could have been much worse if the tanker, which usually carries carbon dioxide, had been full.

Lambton OPP Const. Chris Doupe says, "As you can see there's an odour of some burning that's gone on, the motorcycle again ended up having contact with the trailer, and as you can see is quite close to the location where the trailer is located."

Mandaumin Road is controlled by a stop sign at the intersection.

OPP were asking drivers to avoid the area as they worked at the scene, the road is expected to re-open as late as 10 p.m.