Matamata tanker rolls and spills milk everywhere

Thousands of litres of milk has been spilt on the road following a serious tanker crash near Matamata today.

Emergency services were at the scene of the crash, which happened just before 9.30am this morning near the corner of Firth and Beatty Rd at the southern end of the Waikato town.

It appeared the driver had escaped serious injury, but between 7000 and 8000 litres of milk might have been lost from the tanker, Fire Communications shift manager Scott Osmond said.

"The truck has rolled and the trailer is still upright - the driver is okay, he's out, but there is thousands of litres of milk spilling out of the tanker."

Senior Sergeant Mike Underwood said the tanker and trailer crashed through a fence of a property and rolled.

The driver of the tanker was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance with moderate injuries.

A Matamata fire crew was at the scene, while a HAZMAT (hazardous materials) team was on its way over the Kaimai Ranges from Greerton Fire Station in Tauranga to deal with the clean-up.

It's believed there were no other vehicles involved in the crash.

Police have advised motorists to expect delays after the incident.

"The recovery of the tanker and its load will require heavy salvage equipment and is expected to take some time," Mr Underwood said.

"To compound issues further, this part of Firth St is part of SH27 and is favoured by a lot of heavy transport operators transiting between the Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Auckland."

Mr Underwood said at this point northbound traffic is being allowed to continue along SH27 while southbound traffic is being diverted from Broadway through Burwood Rd and motorists should expect delays.