State Highway 1 reopens on Desert Rd after stock truck rolls near Tongariro

State Highway 1, Desert Rd, is closed after a stock truck carrying cattle rolled. Photo / Kelly Stuart

State Highway 1, Desert Rd, has reopened after a stock truck crashed and rolled earlier this afternoon.

Police advised motorists to avoid the area as the road was expected to be closed 6.30pm but it was reopened shortly before 6pm.

A police spokesperson said they were called to the scene at 1.10pm and veterinary staff attended.

State Highway 1 was closed near Paradise Valley Rd, between Waiouru and Turangi.

"The truck driver is uninjured but there are cattle on the road and a vet is in attendance.

"Diversions are in place, motorists are asked to please avoid the area and delay travel if possible."

Motorist Kelly Stuart was caught up in the backlog of traffic. She arrived at the scene about 10 minutes after it happened but headed back to Turangi via the National Park.

Meanwhile, SH27 at Kaihere in the Waikato is closed after a truck carrying food rolled just before 3.30pm.

The road also remained closed this evening. Diversions are in place from Kaihere Rd to State Highway 2.

SH1 DESERT ROAD - CRASH - FINAL UPDATE 6:00PM
This road is now OPEN. Haumarutia tō haere (drive safe). ^HJ

https://t.co/A2W2HKHQaD

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Central North Island (@WakaKotahiCNI) September 16, 2018

Fire and emergency shift manager Karen Larking said they had four crews at the scene, from Waiouru and Turangi.

They were currently helping police and vet staff remove cattle from the truck.