Milk tanker rolls before being hit by bus

File photo / Thinkstock

Gore Police are investigating how a milk tanker rolled on a straight road in Mataura last night, before it was hit by a bus, injuring 11 people.

The crash occurred at 7.15pm on State Highway 1. St John Ambulance Southern Lakes District Manager Pauline Buchanan, who attended the crash, said 14 patients needed to be assessed.

The truck and trailer appeared to be blocking both lanes of the road when it was struck by the bus, police said.

As a result of the crash both tanks on the milk tanker ruptured, resulting in milk spilling into the watercourse.

The state highway was re-opened at approx 3am.

Police investigators, including members of the Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit, are investigating the incident.

"People sheltered under trees," Ms Buchanan told Radio New Zealand. "We found eight needed to be transported to hospital. Seven others needed to just be assessed.

"We transported one person to Dunedin hospital with a serious injury. A 19-year-old female was also taken to hospital with neck concerns which had the potential for significant injury.

"What we believe is the truck did roll, the bus came along and wasn't able to stop. The truck was across the road and the bus hit the truck unit of the truck and trailer.

"It was a very straight piece of road."

Ms Buchanan praised 'wonderful' locals who lived beside the crash scene. "One allowed us to use his carport for the non-injured and provided chairs and tea and coffee."

Southern communications police inspector John Doherty said two people on the bus received injuries when they hit the windscreen.

It is not known if the truck driver was injured.