SH 1 reopens after petrol tanker rolls in Ohakuri

Diesel tanker rolled at Ohakuri. Photo / John Van De Ven

State Highway 1 has been reopened after three vehicles, including a petrol tanker, crashed at Ohakuri this morning.

The petrol tanker driver is in a serious condition and was flown to Waikato Hospital.

St John confirmed it sent two ambulances to the crash following the emergency call at 7.40am.

14/01/19 07:40: Traffic incident in Ohakuri. 1 patient to Waikato Hospital. Helicopter dispatched. https://t.co/V0S5hZfL4P

— St John (@StJohnAlerts) January 13, 2019

Just before 9am, Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern shift manager Paul Radden said the driver of the tanker was trapped but crews had "extricated him".

The highway was closed for a time between Thorpe Rd and Chestnut Rd, south of Atiamuri between Taupō and Tokoroa, but has since reopened with traffic management, according to the New Zealand Transport Agency Facebook page.

The latest post said traffic was being managed with a stop/go sign, and a detour was no longer required.

"Please allow extra time for delays in both directions until the scene can be fully cleared."

Diesel tanker rolled at Ohakuri. Photo / John Van De Ven

SH1 ATIAMURI - ROAD OPEN - FINAL UPDATE 3.00PM State Highway 1 is now fully open between Atiamuri and Wairakei...

Posted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Waikato BoP on Sunday, 13 January 2019

A police spokeswoman said the tanker was leaking at the time of the crash.