UPDATED 5.00pm: It's too dangerous today to recover a rubbish truck involved in a fatal crash on Auckland's North Shore. 

One person was killed and the driver is in hospital with moderate injuries after the truck overturned on steep Hebe Place and slid 25 metres down a bank and onto its side in thick bush in Birkenhead. 

Diesel is spilling from a rubbish truck into the creek that leads to the habour.

Authorities were desperately trying to remove the rubbish truck, but inspector Peter Raynes said the recovery operation, which involves the Fire Service, will now stop because of the weather.

"It has been too dangerous for any recovery of the vehicle, and we will be looking at recovering the truck tomorrow sometime, depending on weather conditions."

One resident, Bob Gentil, parked his car on a neighbouring street and was ferried to his house in a road sweeping truck.

Gentil said the driver of the sweeping road truck told him there was a young girl in the rubbish truck with the driver.

Inspector Lou Alofa briefed media at the scene earlier today.

"A truck has overturned and fell down a bank of approximately 10 metres deep. One occupant, I can confirm, has suffered moderate injuries, the other occupant is now deceased." 

The rubbish truck was contracted by Auckland Council.

Hebe Place and Kauri Road will be reopened soon.