Crumbs! Bread van tips over on SH2

Emergency services were called about 3am Saturday, where a bread truck had tipped on its side, near East Taratahi Rd.

A truck driver who is alleged to have fallen asleep at the wheel escaped without injuries after toppling his bread truck in the early hours on State Highway 2.

Emergency services were called about 3am Saturday, where the Tip Top bread truck had tipped on its side, near East Taratahi Rd.

Carterton fire chief Wayne Robinson said the driver, from Wellington, was travelling north on an overnight bread delivery run when he was believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel and veered into the southbound lane.

Mr Robinson said the truck had likely rolled after the driver tried to correct himself, with the vehicle ending up lying on its right side across the double left-hand lane. "He had clearly lost control," he said.

"Thankfully, there was hardly any other traffic at that time.

"Anyone coming the other way would have got a hell of a fright to see a big truck stretched across the road."

By the time firefighters arrived, the driver had escaped from the vehicle, unhurt but "extremely sheepish".

"He was pretty disappointed in himself ... and his delivery had turned from bread into crumbs," Mr Robinson said.

"Aside from that, he was absolutely fine.

"He was very, very lucky."

The truck itself sustained only minor damage to the driver's side and was later towed from the scene.

Firecrews from Carterton and Masterton spent "about an hour" clearing the road of debris from the crash, and traffic was reduced to one lane until the truck was removed.

A police officer at the scene said no alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash.

A man is to appear in court on careless driving charges.