Truck driver charged after crash

A truck driver has been charged after he failed to take a bend and crashed into a barrier south of Blenheim this morning, tipping the vehicle onto its side and spilling hazardous materials.

The truck and trailer unit failed to take a left-hand bend on a stretch of State Highway 1 known as Dazzle Corner, about 10km south of Blenheim, as it travelled north about 12.50am.

It smashed into a barrier and ended up on its side, on top of the barrier, Sergeant Mark Kirkwood said.

Heavy lifting equipment was at the scene and the southbound lane would remain closed until at least 8am.

"There's two heavy cranes there, and they obviously have to have replacement trucks to put the other freight on and tow the other truck away," Mr Kirkwood said.

A Fire Service hazardous materials team was cleaning up the load, believed to contain aerosol cans among other materials.

The 32-year-old driver from Christchurch was uninjured.

He will face careless driving charges.

- NZPA