A man has died in a truck rollover on the Princes Freeway east of Melbourne.
Police said the B-double was carrying a mix of diesel and petrol when it crashed into cable fencing on the freeway just after the Darnum interchange, shortly before 6:30am.
The driver’s cabin disconnected from the two trailers before crashing into trees.
He died at the scene.
Warragul Police Acting Senior Sergeant David Harrison said it was “quite a horrific scene” for first responders on arrival.
“We’re currently managing a complex scene here with very wet and complex conditions,” he said.
“Can’t speculate on the cause at this time and the investigation is ongoing.”
Road closures and detours are expected to be in place into the night as emergency services clean up a large fuel spill.
The truck crashed into cable fencing on the freeway at Darnum. (ABC News: Danielle Kutchel)
Crews are working to drain all the fuel from the tanker before they can remove the vehicle and reopen the roads.
Police said the fuel had leaked into the surrounding bushland, but that there did not appear to be any environmental damage.
“We’ve been working with [the Environment Protection Authority] since this morning and they don’t hold any concerns at this point for wildlife or waterway systems,” Acting Senior Sergeant Harrison said.
The Country Fire Authority said there were hazardous fumes on the freeway as a result of the crash, but there was no threat to the community.
Police said officers also attended a two-vehicle collision, which happened behind the truck rollover. No one was injured in that incident.
Coaches are replacing trains between Warragul and Traralgon, and some services between Traralgon and Southern Cross will not run today.