Truck breaks down on SH30 near Rotorua, thick smoke cuts visibility

Lana Speelman was driving near Rotorua yesterday when “thick” smoke meant she could barely see.

“Even with headlights on” the visibility was “low”, Speelman said.

Speelman saw the driver walking away from a broken-down truck with his belongings.

She said one police officer and one fire truck were in attendance.

Police said they were notified of the truck breakdown on State Highway 30 at Kapenga about 4.20pm.

They said there were no injuries and no blockages of the road.

Annabel Reid is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, based in Rotorua. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, she has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canterbury.