Father and young son perish after truck crashes down cliff
A father and his son died after a truck and trailer plummeted down a cliff in central Hawke’s Bay in the early hours of yesterday.
Acting area commander inspector Dave White said the 40-year-old man and his 7-year-old son died at the scene of the crash which happened on SH2, 5km north of Norsewood.
When police arrived just after 12.30am they found the Greaves Bulk Haulage truck in dense bush down about a 20m drop.
The truck had gone through a barrier on State Highway 2 before it left the road.
Police had not released the identities of the victims last night, but tributes on social media indicated the man had a partner and baby daugh- ter. “Love and thoughts go out to his partner and 10 month old daughter xx,” was posted on Hawke’s Bay Today’s Facebook page.
“R.I.P. Bro an little buddy condolences to the family an [sic] friends,” said another.
The trucking community has also expressed grief at the deaths with members of the NZ Truckies Facebook group saying it wasn’t uncommon for children to ride with their parents. “Hits close to home with a lot of us that grew up in the left side of a lorry and as parents who take ours kids, [it’s the] worst nightmare,” said one poster.
Another said: “OMG the worst tragedy is to lose a brother of the road and his darling boy with him too. There are no words for the pain their families and friends are feeling.”
White also extended his sympathies to the families.
He said an investigation into the cause of the crash is now under way and the deaths will be referred to the Coroner.
The northbound lane of the highway was closed for most of yesterday while emergency service workers and contractors tried to retrieve the bodies and what was left of the truck.
Due to the location a crane from Palmerston North was called in to help.
Tough weather conditions along with its tricky location meant it was a challenging job for all of the contractors involved.
There are no words for the pain their families and friends are feeling. post on NZ Truckies Facebook page