Crash causes animal waste to spill on motorway

Emergency services at the scene of an accident on the north-bound lane of the Southern Motorway at Burnside this morning. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN
Emergency services at the scene of an accident on the north-bound lane of the Southern Motorway at Burnside this morning. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN
A multi-vehicle crash involving a mobile sewage tank spill caused traffic delays after a motor vehicle accident on the Southern Motorway this morning.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said the accident occurred about 8.20am.

The crash was minor in nature but traffic was backed up substantially.

The accident involved a vacuum truck carrying animal waste and a car, he said.

Effluent had spilled out into the road, creating a ‘‘bit of a mess’’.

The council and Waka Kotahi/ NZ Transport Agency had been alerted.

Some other vehicles had suffered minor damage but had left the scene, he said.

Crews from Lookout Point and Roslyn attended the scene and were assisting with traffic management, the spokesman said.

A witness said three vehicles were visible at the scene.

He could see a truck with a septic tank, which appeared to have collided with the back end of a sports utility vehicle, and also received damage to its front bumper. A logging truck also appeared to have been involved, he said.

A St John spokeswoman said four patients with moderate injuries were transported to Dunedin Hospital.

A police spokesman said they attended a report of a crash involving three vehicles.

Traffic management was performed while a partial road blockage was cleared and a clean-up undertaken, he said.

A spokesman from the Otago Regional Council said a staff member was sent to the scene who was working with contractors from the transport agency on the clean-up since this morning.

oscar.francis@odt.co.nz

 

Advertisement