Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway SH16 temporarily closed: Food trailer rolls, spilling cooking oil, petrol

The accident blocked the motorway. Photo / u/malkouri

A dashcam video has captured the moment a food trailer flipped over on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway (SH16), spilling cooking oil and petrol on the road and temporarily closing the key route into the city.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the motorway was closed eastbound between Wellesley St and Grafton Rd at 3.10pm.

NZTA posted that the motorway reopened at 4.05pm, with delays expected for commuters.

Earlier, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it was responding to an incident involving a food trailer that had rolled.

SH16 NORTHWESTERN MWY - FINAL UPDATE - 4:05PM FRI 23 FEB
SH16 has re-opened here. ^MS https://t.co/jVW1FsU1FY

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) February 23, 2024

The video shows a van pulling a Lord of the Fries trailer begin to fishtail, the jerking becoming more dramatic until the van and trailer jack-knifed.

As the trailer flips on to its side, this final movement hoists the back end of the van into the air.

Fire crews attended, dousing the crash with water while other emergency responders worked to right the trailer.

Police got a report of the crash, near the Grafton Bridge, at 2.42pm and confirmed no one had been injured.

The rolled food trailer that blocked the Northwestern Motorway in Auckland this afternoon.

“Traffic management is in place and motorists are advised to expect delays, or to avoid the area if possible,” a police spokesman said.

Police later confirmed the motorway had reopened and thanked motorists “for their patience” while the road was closed.