Hazardous chemical truck rolls

UPDATED 4.20PM: One lane of State Highway 2, between Waiotahi and Opotiki, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is now open after a truck carrying hazardous materials crashed early this morning.

A stop/go sign will remain in place until the site is fully cleared and motorists are warned to expect delays.

The 18-wheeler remains on its side on SH2. Photos: Whakatane Beacon.


Heavy trucks backed up on SH2 as emergency services dealt with the crash near Waiotahi.

Earlier:

State Highway 2, near Waiotahi, remains closed as emergency services deal with a rolled 18-wheeler truck and trailer unit carrying hazardous materials.

The stretch of highway, between Paerata Ridge Roadm and Hukutaia Road, is closed in both directions.

The truck rolled about 4am and the driver was initially trapped in the cab.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Jaron Phillips says the driver has since been freed and is reported to have sustained rib and shoulder injuries.

Three crews from Tauranga, including the Greerton Hazmat Unit and supporting crews, are at the scene carrying out salvage of the truck and the chemicals.

'Crews donned chemical splash suits earlier this morning. We had four in splash suits and another eight in breathing apparatuses.

'They assessed what chemicals were involved and if any containers had suffered any damage.”

Jaron says they have a whole manifest of what is on the truck with one of the chemicals involved called Agpro Glyphosate 360, which is described as an environmentally hazardous substance liquid.

Jaron says it's hazardous to the environment and it's a marine pollutant.

'That's just one, there are also jerry cans containing other chemicals, there's pallets of different things and aerosols.

'How long crews will be there for all depends on the state these chemicals are in, whether the containers have been damaged or are leaking. If they're all intact it's probably just a matter or moving them and clearing the scene.”

Diversions are in place via Woodlands, Hukutaia, Crooked and old Creamery roads and back onto SH2 via Verral Road.

Police say these are secondary roads with three narrow bridges on the route and motorists are asked to take care and exercise patience.

Heavy vehicles are advised to avoid the area if at all possible and to expect delays.


Trucks backed up near the accident sight. Photo: Tracey Dale, Opotiki District Council.

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