Log truck forced into ditch

Photo/File

A small truck on the wrong side of the road has been blamed for an accident on State Highway 3 in which heavy logs spilled all over the road.

Owner-driver Chris Barnes was heading from Wanganui to New Plymouth on Wednesday, delivering the logs for Taupo company Green Transport.

He was on the Nukumaru straight near Waitotara when he had to take evasive action.

"A little two-tonne truck was coming toward me on my side of the road," he said. "To avoid it, I had to drive into the ditch."

Mr Barnes said his fully-laden unit sped along the ditch at the side of the road before pulling back on to the carriageway to avoid a parked truck.

But his trailer got caught in the ditch and overturned, spilling logs over the highway.

He was unhurt and though his truck was not damaged the trailer was. Motorists helped clear the logs and Mr Barnes was able to borrow another trailer.

Police are investigating.