Rimutaka Hill Road closed by diesel spill

The Rimutaka Hill Road between the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa has been closed because of what police describe as one of the worst diesel spills they have seen.

Already the spill has caused a truck to crash into a bank and the road, State Highway 2 north of Upper Hutt, was closed to prevent further accidents, while police and roading contractors deal with the spill.

Senior Sergeant Marty Edghill, of police central communications, said police were at the crash site and it was lucky that the truck had been empty.

"Our guys have asked that the road be closed until the spill is cleaned because it's just a tremendously dangerous situation," he said.

"They've described it as terrible.

"I'm not too sure what's caused it, but having said that, in this light misty rain it's like an ice rink up there."

- NZPA