A worker covered in hot tar suffered serious burns following an industrial accident in the Toronto area of Logan Avenue and Danforth Avenue, police say.

The hot tar spilled over the man just before 8 a.m. ET, according to Const. David Hopkinson.

The man, in his 30s, was in the back of the truck, and has since been removed from it by paramedics, as well as firefighters who cut the vehicle open. He was taken to the burn centre at Sunnybrook Hospital. Police describe his injuries as critical.

Police say the worker was wearing a protective suit, but the lower part of his body was immersed in the tar. When he was pulled out, the man was able to wave towards the nearby crowd.

Fire crews cut open the truck to remove the worker following a serious industrial accident in the Toronto area of Logan Avenue and Danforth Avenue. (Jean Carter/ CBC News)

"The tar truck was forced to make a hard stop. The tar in the back of the truck continued to flow forward, spilling onto his body," said fire department Capt. David Eckerman.

Paramedics working on treating the man said he has serious burns on his head and arms.

Firefighters estimated the tar to be as hot as 204 C. They said removing the worker was difficult because he was stuck inside the truck, encased in tar that started to solidify.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour has been notified.