Truck driver hospitalised after chemical leak

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A truck driver was hospitalised after chemicals leaked from his truck near Taupo overnight, the fire service says.

The chemical leak also closed a road and forced residents in the area to evacuate their homes.

The incident happened on State Highway 1 south of Taupo airport, just after midnight, northern fire communications shift manager Michael Upton said.

The driver was taken to hospital with burning to his lungs after chemicals began to leak from five litre containers.

A Hazmat unit was called in to contain the leak, he said.

The leak had been cleaned up, the road had reopened and residents were able to return their homes by this morning, Mr Upton said.