The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken over the direction of a toxic clean-up left from a truck crash in Melbourne’s north.

A truck crashed into a safety barrier on the Melrose Drive ramp off the Western Ring Road at Tullamarine at about 2am, spilling around 40 tonnes of chemical herbicide.

Workers in hazmat suits were continuing to remove the toxic waste on Friday afternoon, having to place it in secure containers before removing it from the scene.

The driver, a 41-year-old Mernda man, has been taken to hospital.

Meanwhile residents in several suburbs in Melbourne’s north are being told to stay indoors.

Earlier, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at FRV, Craig Brownlie, said “a large amount of chemicals” have spilled.

“We are expecting this to take most of the day to resolve,” he told Neil Mitchell.

A warning for hazardous fumes has been issued to residents in Airport West, Gladstone Park, Gowanbrae, Strathmore Heights and Tullamarine.

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