State Highway 5 between Rotorua and Taupō reopens after truck rolls

A section of State Highway 5 near Taupō has reopened after a truck rolled this morning.

Police were called to the crash between Te Toke Rd and Bounty Ave just before 4am, which was blocking both lanes.

A police spokeswoman said heavy haulage towing was at the scene and had advised at 6.20am that it would take around an hour to get the truck upright.

The driver was uninjured.

In an update around 8.40am, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said the road had reopened with stop/go traffic management in place near Te Toke Rd.

An NZME reporter at the scene said about 10 people were present wearing high-vis.

One lady stood with her arms folded with a look of shock and distress on her face as the crew searched through the pile of freight for anything which could be saved.

A stop/go one lane was in place.

Rubbish and damage to the truck could be seen from the roadside and the crew started to load salvageable items and large packages into the truck’s trailer.