State Highway 2 near Wairoa reopens after logging truck rolls, spilling cargo

Sue Smith was on the way to work when she came across an overturned logging truck which had lost its load on SH2. Photo / Sue Smith

State Highway 2 has reopened after a logging truck rolled and lost its load near Whakaki east of Wairoa on Tuesday.

Police were called to the accident in Hawke’s Bay near Iwitea Rd around 6.35am and the road was initially blocked both ways.

A police spokesman said, “Logs are all over the road as the truck has tipped and the trailer is upside-down.”

Sue Smith was travelling to work when she came across the scene of the accident and decided to turn around and report it to Nūhaka School.

Hato Hone St John responded with one ambulance and one patient was treated and taken to Wairoa Hospital and Health Centre in a moderate condition.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) told commuters the road was closed west of Hinepua Rd and there were no alternative routes for motorists.

NZTA said a heavy tow was required to remove the logs blocking the highway. Firefighters also attended the scene.

The crash closed the road until mid-morning, when crews were able to reopen the road to one lane with stop/go traffic management in place.

At 2pm, an NZTA said post since then, the overturned truck and remaining debris had been removed and the road had been swept, and was now fully reopen.

“Please continue to drive to the conditions while any backlog of traffic is cleared.

“NZTA thanks all road users for their patience today while the clean-up took place.”