Melbourne, Australia — Two people were injured following a crash on the outbound lanes of the Monash Freeway that also resulted in a hazardous chemical spill and widespread traffic disruption.
Emergency services responded to the incident after a truck collision occurred near High Street, triggering a major clean-up operation and forcing authorities to close two of the freeway’s four outbound lanes.
According to traffic authorities, emergency crews remained on scene managing both the crash response and the chemical spill, with only two lanes left open to motorists passing through the affected area.
The collision quickly led to severe congestion across Melbourne’s road network, with delays reaching up to 90 minutes. Traffic backed up through the Burnley Tunnel and extended onto the West Gate Freeway, causing significant disruption for commuters.
Officials urged drivers to avoid the outbound Monash Freeway where possible. They recommended alternative routes, including Kings Way, Queens Road, Dandenong Road, and Warrigal Road, before rejoining the freeway beyond the incident area.
Authorities confirmed that the lanes would remain closed until conditions were considered safe and the clean-up operation had been completed. 
Emergency crews worked to contain and remove the spilt chemical material while ensuring the safety of motorists and nearby responders. Details regarding the nature of the chemical involved and the condition of the injured individuals have not yet been fully released.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Motorists are being advised to continue monitoring official traffic updates and allow additional travel time while recovery efforts continue.
