Crews work last night to remove the cab of a milk tanker which had crashed through trees earlier in the day, killing the driver. Photo / Hamish MacLean
Crews work last night to remove the cab of a milk tanker which had crashed through trees earlier in the day, killing the driver. Photo / Hamish MacLean
Emergency services and wreckage recovery workers spent much of yesterday at the scene of a fatal accident involving a milk tanker on State Highway 1, about 20km north of Oamaru.
The male driver of the north-bound Dynes Transport (Tapanui) double tanker died after his truck careered off a straight stretchof road at the entrance to the Riverstone Kitchen restaurant about 4.20am.
The tanker crashed through more than 10m of trees before coming to rest.
Nearly 60m of tyre marks were visible on the access road along Glenavy-Hilderthorpe Rd.
About 5pm police temporarily closed the highway, putting a detour in place, as a 100-tonne crane lifted the trailer tanker and the remains of the truck from the trees.
The name of the driver has not been released and police said they could not make any further comment as the Serious Crash Unit was investigating.
A company employee, who asked not to be named, was at the scene co-ordinating the recovery of the vehicle yesterday and said the death of the driver had had an impact on the company.
"It sends ripples through the company. We're all a big family," he said.
"At the same time our hearts go out to the family [of the driver]."
Riverstone Kitchen owner Bevan Smith said the first of his staff arrived for work about 6.30am but the restaurant remained open and busy with school holiday customers.
The main entrance was blocked and an alternative access was used.
He said some of his staff and patrons were "a bit subdued".
A crane lifts the trailer of the milk tanker involved in a fatal crash near Glenavy yesterday.
