A Glenorchy man in his 40s was not injured when the aviation fuel mini-tanker, towed by the NZ Skydive utility he was driving to Queenstown, separated from the vehicle about 6.30am.
The ute and mini-tanker were descending the zigzag section on the Arrow Junction side of the alpine road, when the trailer uncoupled before crashing on to the middle of the road below at a hairpin corner.
Arrowtown and Frankton volunteer fire brigades, Queenstown police, highway patrol officers, the Queenstown Lakes District Council pollution response unit, council roading contractors and a Heliworks helicopter were involved in cleaning up the 300-400 litres of fuel which leaked from the mini-tanker.
Council spokeswoman Meaghan Miller said a temporary channel was put in place to guide the fuel on to bare land.
The spill was then gritted and foam applied as a fire suppressant.
A helicopter lifted the mini-tanker to the roadside at 9.30am.
Motorists were advised to detour via Cromwell.
The remainder of the fuel, about 700 litres, was safely removed from the tanker and a mop-up of the road carried out before the roadblock was lifted at 11.46am.
Ms Miller said the environmental impact of the spill was thought to have been "minimal".
Acting Sergeant Craig Gibson, of Queenstown, said the spill created a very dangerous situation as Saturday "was a perfect day for a disaster.
There was no wind and the vapour didn't dissipate".
"All it takes is one point of ignition and the whole thing goes up."
Sgt Gibson said the clean-up was a good team effort by the many agencies.
