Truck crash, Kaikoura

EMMA DANGERFIELD AND ANNA WILLIAMS

Last updated 08:56 21/11/2012

Emma Dangerfield

Truck crash at Kaikoura

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A truck carrying flammable liquids including white spirits and acetone crashed on State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura early this morning .The Freight Lines truck rolled on SH1 in Peketa, Kaikoura, just before 6am. The 55 year old driver was the sole occupant of the truck and was not injured.Sergeant Julian Lewis, of Kaikoura, said police and fire crews were at the scene for more than three hours. The site had been cleaned up by 9.30am.Speed was not believed to have been a factor in the crash, Mr Lewis said. There was an oil leak but it was contained quickly by firefighters and there was no danger or damage to the environment, Mr Lewis said.SH1 was down to one lane while crews cleared the area.Kaikoura fire chief Ian Walker said all contaminants were cleaned up and there was no threat to the coastline or sea. The truck was heading south towards Christchurch when the trailer unit rolled on a right hand bend just south of Peketa, Mr Walker said. The Kaikoura Volunteer fire brigade contained the spillage and unloaded the trailer which contained flammable liquids including white spirits and acetone, Mr Walker said.Police inquiries are continuing at this stage to determine the cause of the crash and the matter has been referred to Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit, Mr Lewis said.