Police today released the name of a Rakaia truck contractor who died yesterday after his truck and trailer laden with wool bales plunged into two houses in Balclutha, South Otago.
He was Hugh Gordon Muckle, 40, who was driving an Owens transport truck.
Senior Sergeant Alistair Dickie of Balclutha police said it
was a miracle no one else was killed or injured in the spectacular crash. The truck veered across the road on State Highway 1 knocking out a conservatory and verandah of one house before ploughing through the middle of another house.
Margaret and Des Pirie only bought that house two weeks ago.
They had planned to stay at home yesterday with their grand-daughter, Mr Dickie told NZPA.
"But they made a late appointment with their accountant in Dunedin otherwise they would have been home. The neighbours in the other house normally have a cup of tea on the verandah that time of day but they were fortunately inside the house just when the truck ripped off part of their house."
Police are investigating whether the incident involved driver or vehicle failure. The truck and trailer was extensively damaged with the truck's cab crushed flat.
The truck was being removed from the house by crane this morning.
Owens divisional general manager Brett Wilson said Mr Muckle had worked for the company for about 20 years. He had been a contract driver since 1990.
- NZPA
