THE Calder Freeway has reopened after a horror crash in Melbourne’s west yesterday that claimed the life of a man.

Crews cleared the scene of a multi vehicle crash involving a petrol tanker and about ten cars, which claimed the life of one person at about 4.40am.

Two cranes were last night working to hoist the tanker from its side onto its wheels, so it can be moved from the scene.

Vicroads confirmed the Calder Freeway was reopened this morning about 4:40am after yesterday’s multi-car crash

By about 9pm, last night the fuel had been removed from the tanker and crews were preparing to move the truck into an upright position.

The horror crash is believed to have been caused by a car that pulled in front of a petrol tanker.

media_camera Traffic slows to a crawl as motorists are diverted from the Calder Freeway heading into the evening peak. Picture: Jason Edwards

media_camera Drivers endure lengthy delays near Bulla Rd in Essendon. Picture: Jason Edwards

The tanker, carrying 60,000 litres of fuel, rolled over and collided with about ten cars as it travelled outbound near Milleara Rd in Keilor Park about 8.05am.

A 49-year-old Ascot Vale man died at the scene.

Five people including the truck driver were taken to hospital suffering minor injuries.

Three were assessed at the scene but did not need hospital treatment.

There are further people unaccounted for with one car crushed under the tanker.

The Calder Fwy remains closed — well into the evening rush — between the Western Ring Rd and Tullamarine Fwy.

Motorists are urged to find another route.

Victoria Police confirmed just before noon that one person had died.

“It’s believed the truck was in the centre lane on the freeway when a car has pulled in front of it, causing the truck to swerve and the driver to lose control of the vehicle,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

media_camera One of the cars involved in the crash. Picture: Dennis Manktelow

“The truck has then struck a number of other cars. One car was crushed under the truck during the incident and investigators are still in the process of determining how many people were in that vehicle, however at least one person has been confirmed deceased.”

Inspector John Kearney said: “you don’t get much worse than this” when describing the scene.

He urged motorists to leave work early if they can, to avoid tonight’s expected gridlock.

“Early indications are the truck has had to take some evasive action because of a vehicle. Which vehicle that is we don’t know,” he said.

One person died at the scene.

“Whether there are any more is yet to be determined.”

Assistant chief fire officer Darren McQuade said up to 20,000 litres of diesel and unleaded petrol had spilt from the tanker.

“The school nearby has been relocated to the southern area of the school,” he said.

“Fuel has leaked into Steele Creek.

“We believe anywhere between 10 to 20,000 litres of petrol.”

A woman in her 40s, whose car overturned, has been taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition with neck, shoulder and arm injuries.

media_camera The fuel tanker is blanketed in foam by firefighters. Picture: Jason Edwards

media_camera A petrol tanker has rolled on the Calder Freeway, colliding with ten cars. Picture: Dennis Manktelow

media_camera The scene of a petrol tanker rollover on the Calder Freeway. Picture: Jason Edwards

media_camera Picture: Jason Edwards

media_camera Picture: Dennis Manktelow

The male truck driver has been taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition with leg injuries.

A woman in her 40s was taken to Sunshine Hospital in a stable condition with neck and hand injuries, while a woman in her 20s, also in a stable condition, was taken to Sunshine Hospital with neck and facial injuries.

A teenage boy was taken to Sunshine Hospital as a precaution with no obvious injuries.

Another person was taken to Western Hospital Footscray in a stable condition and two others were assessed at the scene but didn’t go to hospital.

Petrol tanker crash on Calder Fwy A petrol tanker has rolled on the Calder Freeway involving numerous cars. Courtesy Seven News

media_camera A petrol tanker has rolled over shutting the Calder Freeway. Picture: Facebook

The truck involved was a Toll-branded vehicle, and the company expressed its regret about the incident this afternoon.

“Toll is deeply saddened to learn of the fatality and serious injuries following an incident on the Calder Freeway involving a Toll fuel tanker at around 8am this morning,” Toll spokesman Shannon Gill said.

“Our priority right now is to offer every support to the people impacted and their families and to continue to assist authorities with investigating the incident.

Witness Trent told 3AW authorities were earlier “trying frantically” to get to the car under the tanker.

“The tanker is completely on it’s side,” he said.

“There’s three fire brigades trying to put out the first of the tanker and the car underneath. There’s up to seventeen or twenty cars involved.”

Motorists were advised to avoid the area, with the Tullamarine Freeway suggested as the best alternate route.

Those heading to the airport are urged to consider using the M80 Ring Rd from West Gate Fwy due to delays on the Tullamarine Fwy.

media_camera Firefighters hose down the petrol tanker. Picture: Dennis Manktelow

media_camera Firefighters work on the tanker. Picture: Dennis Manktelow

Diversions are currently in place and paramedics remain at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.