The driver of a truck that overturned spilling 18 tonnes of rat poison into the sea near Kaikoura has been charged with careless use of a motor vehicle and may yet face prosecution from Environment Canterbury.
Bryan George McIntosh, 31, of Christchurch, was at the wheel of the truck and trailor unit when it rolled on State Highway 1 just south of Kaikoura on May 23.
More than 18 tonnes of green rat bait pellets containing the poison brodifacoum tumbled into the sea.
The bait was destined for a rat poisoning operation on the Campbell Islands.
Environment Canterbury, which is also conducting its investigation into the accident, said earlier this month that the impact of the spill appeared to have been minimal.
Twelve separate samples of crayfish showed no traces of poison, while mussels, limpets paua and a single fish sample showed very low levels of poison.
It appeared that the rat bait had disintegrated and dispersed quickly in the rough seas that followed the accident.
The samples were analysed by toxicology experts at Landcare Research.
Environment Canterbury regional enforcement officer Bob Simpson today said it would be some time before they decided what action to take against McIntosh.
McIntosh will appear in the Kaikoura District Court on June 29.
Kaikoura rat poison spill driver facing charges
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