Several specialist units have assembled at the scene of an early morning crash in the North Waikato that closed SH1 for several hours.
Sergeant Juliet Burgess of the Huntly Strategic Traffic Unit said the southbound B-Train veered off the road to the left, crashed through a barrier and ended up on its side in a shallow ditch near Hall Rd about 1am.
"The truck then caught alight resulting in some complications for responding emergency services as any hazardous material data sheets detailing the vehicle's load were kept in the front of the cab.
"The fire was extinguished by fire-fighters but several drums that spilt out of the curtain-side rear trailer required identifying to assess what if any threat they posed, the front unit was refrigerated."
Disaster Victim Identification specialists are on site assisting with the recovery and identification of the male driver.
Northbound traffic flow was allowed to resume about 5am.
"Speed for northbound traffic is limited to 30km/h however SH1 is still closed for southbound vehicles and diversions are in place from Island Block Rd and Te Kauwhata," said Mrs Burgess.
Waikato Serious Crash Unit and Commercial Vehicle Unit investigators are all at the scene working alongside Fire Service and heavy vehicle recovery staff working to clear the site.
The driver's death has been reported to the Coroner.
End