05 May 2008
A major state highway linking the Waikato to Auckland is about to be partially closed to allow heavy salvage equipment to be brought in after an early morning truck crash at Taupiri today.
Sergeant Juliet Burgess of the Huntly Strategic Traffic Unit said emergency services were called to the scene of the crash that happened on a bridge on SH1 by Taupiri Mountain, about 4.40am.
"A temporary speed restriction of 30km/h had been set up to keep traffic flowing but with heavy salvage equipment about to arrive to recover the truck at least one lane of the highway is going to have to be closed."
The Waikato Serious Crash Unit and the Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit are investigating the crash which saw a semi-truck unit fail to negotiate a bend in a 70km/h speed zone.
"It appears the southbound truck failed to negotiate the bend and tipped, as it's gone over it smashed the top of a lamp post then crashed through the bridge barrier," said Ms Burgess.
"It has then gone airborne and crossed a stream before coming to a stop on the bank of the Waikato River, the driver was very fortunate to escape with only minor injuries and he was taken to Waikato Hospital with minor injuries."
The salvage operation is expected to take about two hours, southbound traffic is expected to be able to continue along SH1 while northbound traffic will be diverted at Taupiri on to Gordonton Rd through to Ohinewai.
"Should southbound traffic have to be diverted it will be turned off SH1 at the Tainui Bridge on to Riverview Rd/ SH39."
End