Police say the cause of a rubbish truck rolling off and wrecking itself over a steep bank at Fraser Street today is a reminder to always turn the wheels when using a handbrake.

The Kleana Bins truck rolled away at about 11.40am – leaving its driver behind.

The truck came to rest on Fraser Street after its driver had chased after it.

'He was out of the truck, it took off without him,” says Kleana Bins office manager Joy Page.

'He chased after it, but I don't know what he was going to do.”

The truck out-paced the driver and rolled down a driveway, through a steel barrier and over the five metre bank to Fraser Street.

It ended up angle parked against the Fraser Street footpath opposite Page Street.

Fraser Street was closed for about an hour while the truck was removed, with traffic diverted Along Lloyd Street and Baycroft Avenue.

'What happened was the gentleman reversed up a driveway,” says Constable Dan Matthews, 'and when he's backed up he pulled the handbrake on, which locked both rear wheels – one set of wheels was on grass and lost traction.”

The truck started to roll and went through the steel barrier.

'It's a reminder for when people park on hills, to steer the wheels to one side so the vehicle doesn't roll out in front of traffic – or fly down hills and perhaps take out somebody on the pavement,” says Dan.

If anyone had been on the footpath underneath there would have been little warning and less time. The truck is a write-off.