Traffic on the M7 highway towards Bluff was brought to a standstill on Monday after a collision between two trucks left the roadway covered in diesel and prompted a large emergency response.
The crash occurred on the northbound off-ramp connecting to the N2 highway, where a tanker transporting approximately 30,000 litres of diesel collided with another truck, causing a substantial fuel spill.
Authorities said some motorists and residents in the area were seen collecting diesel from the leaking tanker using empty containers, raising safety and environmental concerns as emergency teams worked to secure the scene. Officials urged the public to avoid the area due to the risk of fire and contamination.
Emergency services launched urgent containment measures to prevent the fuel from spreading further and to minimise environmental damage.
Four people were injured in the crash, including two who were severely trapped inside the wreckage. Rescue crews used hydraulic cutting equipment, commonly known as the jaws of life, to extricate the victims before they were transported to hospital.
The road is expected to remain closed while clean-up operations continue, with motorists advised to seek alternative routes.