Kiwifruit truck trailer tips on SH2, causing delays in Bay of Plenty

Thousands of kiwifruit were left strewn across a busy road after a truck’s trailer tipped onto its side. Photo / Claire Rogers

Thousands of kiwifruit were strewn across a busy Western Bay of Plenty road today after a large truck’s trailer tipped on to its side.

The single‑vehicle crash at about 2.30pm caused traffic to back up in the area.

A local told the Herald the size of the loss could be devastating to the grower during the April-May peak kiwifruit-picking season.

Bay of Plenty Police Senior Sergeant Simon Betchetti said the incident caused a “sticky situation” for traffic, because the crates and kiwifruit blocked the entire Ōmokoroa intersection at State Highway 2.

The kiwifruit appeared to be the green or gold variety. The more niche red kiwifruit are also grown in the region.

“While the scene was messy, there was good news - no injuries were reported,” Betchetti said.

He said motorists were patient while crews worked to clear the scene, and a loader was called in to remove the fruit and damaged crates from the road.

“Once the kiwifruit was cleared, the road was swept to ensure it was safe for traffic. State Highway 2 has since been reopened,” Betchetti said.

Kiwifruit scattered across a busy Western Bay of Plenty road after a truck’s trailer tipped onto its side. Photo / Claire Rogers

Witness Claire Rogers said she saw the tipped-over trailer and bins of kiwifruit.

“Many police cars attended the scene, directing traffic. The truck didn’t appear to have tipped over, just the trailer,” Rogers said.

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