Fuel tanker rolls causing spill and significant delays on State Highway 1 in Horowhenua

Fire services are containing a spill from a fuel tanker that rolled on SH1 north of Ōhau. Photo / Paul Williams

Fire services are responding to a fuel tanker that rolled causing a fuel spill on State Highway 1 north of Ōhau in Horowhenua.

The incident occurred about 7.30am on Wednesday and has closed a section of the highway, causing delays. Diversions are in place.

Police expected the road to reopen late Wednesday afternoon but at 3pm said it would likely remain closed until about 2am on Thursday.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokeswoman said the road would be closed “for several hours” while fire personnel dealt with the incident.

Fire services were assisting with fire protection and dealing with the fuel spill.

“We are attempting to contain the spill.”

The spokeswoman said no one appeared to have been injured in the incident.

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NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said to expect “significant delays” through the Ōhau area on Wednesday as congestion northbound was heavy between Kuku and Levin.

The truck rolled near Vista Rd.

“Heavy vehicle recovery operations are ongoing.”

Northbound traffic was being diverted via Bishop Rd, Muhunoa East Rd, Arapaepae Rd, SH57 and back on to SH1, and in reverse for southbound traffic.

There are queues southbound between Levin and Ōhau.

Ōhau School buses were running late, stuck in lines of southbound traffic that is being diverted from SH1 along Kimberley Rd to Ōhau via Arapaepae Rd.

Power to 90 customers in Vista Rd, SH1 and Mcleavey Rd was isolated to make the accident site safe for emergency services.

On Wednesday afternoon, power company Electra said fault staff had been able to make a temporary cut in the 11kV line in Mcleavey Rd.

“We will be able to reinstate 74 customers living in Mcleavey Rd. The remaining 16 customers closer to the accident site will remain without power until the accident site is made safe. It has been estimated that Electra staff will not be able to assess the damage to our equipment (if any) until around 9.30pm.

Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news. She began as a reporter in 2023.