A hazardous materials truck overturned on the A2 autobahn near Hannover, Germany, causing a major disruption.

The accident occurred around midnight on Thursday, forcing authorities to close the highway between Wunstorf-Luthe and Garbsen in the direction of Hannover/Berlin.

The truck driver was severely injured and rushed to the hospital.

Solvents leaked from the overturned vehicle, prompting a complex cleanup operation by firefighters.

Police expect the closure to last until noon, with traffic being diverted.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.