Log truck crashes through Whirokino bridge

WARWICK SMITH/Manawatu Standard

HARD BRAKING: The logging truck that crashed through the side of the Whirokino Bridge, south of Foxton.

A truck driver avoided serious injuries when his loaded logging truck ploughed through the side of a bridge on State Highway 1 and was left dangling over the edge.

The driver was heading north towards Foxton when the truck swerved across the road and crashed through the side of the 1100-metre long Whirokino trestle bridge.

But the loaded trailer continued forward, with the weight and momentum enough to swing the front of the truck and driver back up onto the bridge.

The man walked away with scratches, bruises and a sore knee and avoided hitting other cars.

Foxton police sergeant Jeff Lyver came across the flipped truck that was completely blocking the bridge.

Thick skid marks on the road indicated the driver braked heavily to avoid hitting traffic in front of him that had slowed to about 10kmh because of a wide load up ahead, Mr Lyver said.

"The exact cause of the accident is being investigated."

The highway was closed until 7pm with traffic diverted at Koputaroa Rd and Newth Rd.

Whirokino resident Elise McKean doesn't know how the truck driver survived the accident.

"There was a God-awful bang and we looked up and saw the truck cab going through the concrete and steel bridge rail."

Her partner, Colin Rider, called 111 and they ran to the scene.

"The truck cab went over the side, through the bridge rails. But the trailer, all loaded up with logs, kept on going, and its momentum and weight sort of pulled the cab back on to the bridge," Ms McKean said.

"We got there before the ambulance arrived and the driver was stuck in the cab. They got him out. He was walking and talking OK. He's one lucky guy."

She saw truck tyre skid marks on the bridge deck, for about 100m before the point of impact. She didn't think the bridge was a particularly bad accident black spot. All the locals knew it was narrow, and drove accordingly.

New Zealand Transport Agency state highways manager Errol Christiansen said the bridge was closed until about 7pm, while a loader removed the logs and got the truck in an upright position so it could be towed away.

A 12-metre-long section of concrete parapet wall destroyed by the crash would be sealed off until a new parapet was built, he said. Pictures taken at the scene would be examined by NZTA structural experts.

- © Fairfax NZ News