Police have named the man who died after the truck and trailer unit he was driving crashed through barriers and tumbled down a steep bank in the Manawatu Gorge overnight.
He was John Douglas Watene, 49, of Feilding.
The crash is believed to have happened just after midnight when he
was heading east towards Woodville.
Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said it appeared the driver lost control of truck, which came to rest about 15 to 20 metres down the bank. The trailer ended up about 25 metres down the bank, in the Manawatu River.
The busy road which links Palmerston North with Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay was closed this morning while police waited for specialist heavy lifting equipment to arrive.
Police reopened part of the road later in the morning, but closed it again this afternoon when the crane arrived.
It was possible the truck and Mr Watene's body would have to be recovered tomorrow, Ms Perks said.
The cause of the crash is being investigated by the serious crash investigation unit.
- NZPA
