A large diesel spillage closed SH1 at Huntly this morning after an earthmoving truck crashed into the back of a petrol tanker.
The crash occurred on the main highway north of the town just after 11.30am today outside a block of businesses on the intersection of Great South Rd (SH1) and Tainui Bridge Rd. Staff from KFC, a video store, a petrol station and the River Mill bakery were evacuated as a precaution. No-one has been injured or hurt in the crash or as a result of the spill.
Police say around 4000 litres of diesel spilt when the earthmoving company truck ruptured one of the compartments on the petrol tanker. The tanker had four compartments and only one was affected. The diesel spilled mostly over the north-bound lane of the highway.
Most of the diesel has run into roadside drains and a holding tank that eventually flows into the Waikato River. Police have asked the Waikato District Council to turn off water pumps in that area so the diesel can be contained in the holding tank and disposed of. The Fire Service has its Hazardous Chemicals unit at the scene.
Traffic has been diverted around the accident site. South-bound traffic is diverted along George Dr, that runs behind the block of businesses and parallel with the Waikato River. North-bound traffic is being stopped at Ngaruawahia and is being directed onto Hakarimata Rd that runs along the back of Huntly. There may be some traffic delays, police say. It is not known how long SH1 will be closed for.
The truck drivers involved in the crash were not injured, although one was taken to hospital for observation.