5 Nov 2013

SH5 open again after truck crash

5:34 pm on 5 November 2013

State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupo has reopened fully after being closed by a truck crash on Tuesday.

The truck, carrying more than 160kg of methanol, rolled at Tarawera in Bay of Plenty as it rounded a corner about 8am. Emergency services were called and freed the driver trapped in the cab.

One container leaked extensively over the road and the containers had to be removed by fire crews before a crane could lift the truck and trailer upright.

Motorists were forced to delay their journeys due to a lack of detours.

However, the New Zealand Transport Agency says the highway opened again late in the afternoon with stop-go signs around the crash site.