Caravan flipped by wind
A caravan was flipped and destroyed yesterday morning due to high winds on the West Coast Rd (State Highway 73) between Springfield and Arthurs Pass.
Police said the crash involved a camper being towed by a vehicle which flipped and blocked the road. No injuries were reported and the road was reopened before noon.
The incident follows snow, wind and rain warnings that had been put in place for the South Island for yesterday and today.
MetService issued road snowfall warnings for Arthur’s Pass, Haast Pass, Lindis Pass, Crown Range Rd and Milford Rd from early to late this morning, where rain showers are expected to turn into snow that could settle.
Snow is also expected to around 500mm to 600m over Fiordland and Westland overnight and this morning.
An orange heavy rain warning has been put in place for the ranges of the Westland District today. MetService said residents should expect another 40-60mm of rain on top of what has already fallen, further rain is expected this evening and Friday morning.
Strong winds were expected in the Canterbury High Country yesterday, with an orange strong-wind warning in place. Severe northwesterly winds are forecast, with potentially damaging gusts of 130kph in exposed places.
MetService advised residents and road users to keep up to date with the latest forecasts.