Truck removal closes Desert Road

8:30 AM

Police have closed part of the Desert Road for the rest of the day to remove a truck and trailer unit that crashed down a bank yesterday.

State Highway 1 has been closed between Turangi and Waiouru while a crane is bought in to recover the truck and trailer.

Jed Oskam from the police communications centre says they are removing the truck because there have been three further accidents caused by people stopping to have a look.

Police expect to re-open the highway by about four o'clock this afternoon.

The holiday road toll now stands at 12 after the death of one person this morning in a single vehicle accident opposite the Red Fox Tavern, between Auckland and Thames.

State Highway 2 south of Maramarua has been reduced to one lane.

- IRN