Driver dead after logging trucks collide

Photo / Thinkstock

A logging truck driver was killed and another seriously injured when their rigs collided head-on inland from Tolaga Bay on the East Coast this afternoon.

The accident happened shortly after midday about 15 kilometres up the Tauwhareparae Road.

"Both drivers had to be cut from the wreckage of their vehicles, and one of them died at the scene," police said.

The ECT rescue helicopter flew a St John Ambulance team to the scene.

"The second driver, who is in his mid-20s, suffered serious, multiple injuries," St John team manager Shane Clapperton said.

He was flown to Gisborne Hospital.

Mr Clapperton described the accident scene as a mess.

"It always is when two logging trucks collide."

Two fire trucks attended, the rescue tender from Gisborne and a crew from Tolaga Bay.

"It was a shocking scene," Senior Station Officer John Haggland said.

"The driver who died was very badly injured. The whole side of the cab of his truck was destroyed in the collision," Mr Haggland said.

One of the trucks was empty, the other had a full load of logs on board.

Mr Haggland said the man who died was driving the empty truck.

"We believe he would have died instantly, his injuries were so severe," he said.

"We got the other driver out of his cab through the front windscreen."

The accident happened on a slight bend in the road.

The road remained closed this afternoon, while police carried out a serious crash investigation.