Truck driver escapes injury in tanker crash

Little of the tanker's fuel was spilled, police said. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A truck driver has escaped injury after the fuel tanker he was hauling tipped over near Te Kuiti about 8.20 this morning.

Road diversions are still in place on State Highway 3 about 7km north of Te Kuiti as fire, police and salvage crews manage the situation.

Constable Aaron Lunt said initial indications showed it was possible the truck's pneumatic brakes had locked causing the tanker carrying 1800kg of diesel to tip over.

The truckdriver was heading south towards Taumaranui when the crash occurred.

"He brought the truck to a stop but because the trailer was on an angle on the back, the weight has caused it to tip over."

Constable Lunt said only about 20kg of diesel had escaped and the driver was lucky his front tank - carrying petrol - was intact.

Mr Lunt said the diversions onto Hangatiki Road were likely to be in place for at least a couple of hours.

A salvage team is on its way from Hamilton to transfer the fuel to another tanker.

- James Ihaka and Beck Vass