State Highway 5 south of Rotorua was closed for almost 12 hours yesterday after a truck carrying paint and paint thinners crashed.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council pollution control team spent hours cleaning up after the crash, which left the truck driver seriously injured.
The truck and trailer unit had crashed into a bank south of Waiotapu Loop Rd about 4.30am.
Traffic between Rotorua and Taupo was diverted via Atiamuri and reopened about 4pm, to one lane only.
Rotorua police road policing Sergeant Chris McLeod said some of the truck's load was lost after the crash.