THREE people are in hospital after a tram and truck carrying beer collided near the Melbourne Zoo.

The nasty crash at Royal Park happened about 11.30am when the front end of the tram hit the midpoint of the truck’s tray.

The force of the prang forced the tram with 30 people on board to derail.

The beer kegs spilt on the road after falling off the truck, causing further traffic woes.

The tram was travelling north towards West Coburg terminus when it crashed.

media_camera Emergency services at the scene of the crash. Picture: Kylie Else

Services along Route 55 are not expected to resume until 9pm as the clean-up and recovery of the tram happens.

Ambulance Victoria treated seven people at the scene. The tram driver received minor leg injuries and was taken to hospital.

The injured passengers and driver were taken to The Alfred, Royal Melbourne and Western Health hospitals.

Yarra Trams spokesman Simon Murphy said recovery crews were on site and it was expected that Route 55 would be delayed for several hours.

Nasty collision between tram and truck at #Parkville - 3 people taken to hospital @9NewsMelb (pic: @Birds_Central) pic.twitter.com/97hv04Tjkp — Angus Ledwidge (@angusleddo) January 14, 2015

media_camera A tram was derailed after colliding with a truck. Picture: Kylie Else

He said replacement buses were transporting passengers following the collision at Elliott Ave.

“Our recovery crews are on site working to restore normal services as quickly as possible, while tram replacement buses and customer service teams are providing assistance to passengers,” Mr Murphy said.

“Yarra Trams is pleased to hear that there are no serious injuries as a result of the collision between a truck and a tram in Royal Park.

“Support is being provided to our tram driver and the passengers who received minor injuries.”

Motorists driving through the area are also being warned of mass delays and are advised to avoid the area.

Route 55 trams are operating in two sections: between the West Coburg terminus and Dawson St/Brunswick Rd stop, West Brunswick and between Domain Interchange and Essendon railway station, via a diversion at Flemington Rd and Route 59.

Another alternative for passengers to avoid delays is to take the Upfield train line.