SH39 Expected To Be Closed For 6-10 Hours
New Zealand Police National News Release
10:03am 10 October 2008
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=4402

10 October 2008

Fatigue appears to be a major factor in a driver becoming unstuck on the road, losing control of his truck and spilling several tonnes of glue, closing SH39 this morning.

Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman said the road at Ngahinapouri, west of Hamilton, is expected to be closed for between 6-10 hours.

"What we've had is a B-train roll over and spill it's cargo of dangerous good all over the road.

"The load was predominantly glue, some of it in drums but the majority of it in packaged boxes, some of which is leaking which is going to have to be off loaded by hand before the vehicle can be salvaged and the road reopened."

Labour contractors have been brought in to assist with the clean up while Environment Waikato staff are working to minimise any risk of seepage into waterways.

Mr Tooman said the truck driver had admitted to Police he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

"He had been driving north from Wellington to Auckland on a regular run when the crash happened about 5.30am.

"This crash is a timely reminder to both drivers and transport operators of the importance of rest periods. The body will only take so much and as in the case here with the driver at the wheel all night, the body will eventually shit down."

The Waikato based Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit is investigating the crash.

ENDS

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