Truck and trailer plunge 10m in Karangahake Gorge
The driver of a fruit truck that plunged 10 metres off a gorge highway into a fast flowing river was found perched on the motor.
He escaped the plunge that left the truck and trailer on its side on the rocks of the Karangahake Gorge, rescuers say.
The crash happened on State Highway 2 between Paeroa and Waihi around 5am yesterday, Fire and Emergency spokesman Jaron Phillips said.
The Kenworth truck and trailer belonging to Brett Marsh Transport carrying a load of produce was heading towards Waihi when it came to a bend outside the Talisman Cafe reserve area on the Paeroa side of the gorge.
For whatever reason the driver appeared to have continued straight ahead instead of turning.
He shot straight through the crash barrier and plunged an estimated 10 metres down the river bank, Paeroa Fire Brigade deputy chief Lindsay Hill said.
‘‘It’s tipped over and rolled down into the river.’’
Three firefighters clambered down the bank to find the driver sitting on the engine block.
‘‘The truck was lying on its side on the edge of the river, which had a good flow for this time of year.
‘‘He must have got himself out because he was sitting on the truck waiting.’’
Firefighters assisted the driver back up the hill to a waiting ambulance.
He appeared to be in some shock, Hill said. ‘‘He was very, very lucky I would say.’’
The driver suffered minor injuries, Senior Sergeant Ray Malcolmson of Waikato police said.
Hill said the back trailer appeared to be intact with no spillage, but the front of the truck was partially damaged.
Firefighters were able to check the fuel tank to ensure no substances had leaked into the river.
‘‘There was nothing leaking out of it so we contacted the regional council.’’
Waikato Transport systems manager, Karen Boyt, said stop/go traffic management had been in place so the contents of the truck and trailer could be removed.
The gorge was to be closed from 10pm on Friday until 2am on Saturday to allow for the truck to be removed.