KEY POINTS:
An Environment Canterbury anti-pollution team is heading for the Lewis Pass, where a milk tanker has overturned spilling part of its load.
The tanker, believed to be carrying some 16,000 litres of milk, flipped at Gabriel's Gully on State Highway 7, about 7km from the Hanmer Springs turnoff.
Inspector Alan Weston, of the police southern communications centre in Christchurch told NZPA the driver was unhurt in the crash which was reported at 12.05pm.
Mr Weston said the Fire Service had been called because milk was spilling from the tanker.
An Environment Canterbury spokeswoman said a "pollution hotline team" was called out at 12.15pm.
"Milk is toxic to fish and aquatic habitats, although at this stage we have not confirmed if the tanker has spilt its load or is intact," she said.
- NZPA
