It has been revealed that a crash which caused three circus monkeys to be released on to a New South Wales south coast road yesterday could have been far worse.

The monkeys jumped on to the Princes Highway at Bombo, north of Kiama, when the trailer hit a concrete divider and ended up on its side at about 3:00pm.

The frightened monkeys ran onto the highway but circus workers were able to gather them quickly.

Captain Peter Mitchell from NSW Fire and Rescue says their job could have been far more difficult.

"Luckily it wasn't the trailer following behind, because it had lions in it," he said.

"Everything turned out alright for the monkeys, and everybody else."

The 21-year-old trailer driver was treated in hospital for minor injuries.

It is understood the primates have recovered from the ordeal enough to recommence their monkey business.