Driver escapes unharmed

Truck carrying a container loaded with maize plunged down the bank.

An articulated truck carrying a container loaded with maize veered off State Highway 2 in the Waioeka Gorge yesterday morning and plunged down the bank. Police received a report about the crash at around 8.30am. It happened on the bend by Monument corner. “The driver was not injured and the truck was not blocking the road,” police said. Gisborne Hiabs sent their machinery and staff to the scene to recover the damaged vehicle. “It was a big job — took us four to five hours,” said Justin Martin from Gisborne Hiabs. They were able to keep the highway open to one lane. The damaged rig was brought back to Gisborne. Picture supplied