Drunk truck driver in bizarre milk spill

SCOTT HAMMOND/ The Marlborough Express

MILKY WAY: An overturned trailer spilled milk powder across State Highway 63, east of Wairau Valley township. Police allege the driver of the truck, who drove off after the crash, was drunk.

Milk powder was strewn like snow across the highway, a truck trailer blocked most of the road, but where was the driver?

He had disconnected his truck and driven to Renwick. 

But it wasn't long before he was picked up by police allegedly more than twice over the alcohol limit.

The bizarre incident unfolded just before 4pm when the east-bound truck's trailer overturned on State Highway 63, about a kilometre east of Wairau Valley township, and skidded for 150 metres, leaving a long trail of white milk powder in its wake.

Constable Michelle Stagg, of the Blenheim police, said the truck, and the driver, were found in Renwick shortly after the crash and the driver was taken to the Blenheim police station for an evidential breath test.

The 62-year-old, from Christchurch, allegedly blew a breath alcohol reading of 898mcg the legal limit is 400mcg. He is now being processed for drink-driving and may also face other charges.

Miss Stagg said the West Coast-based Aratuna Freighters trailer was carrying 26 bags of milk powder each weighing 500 kilograms.

Highway patrol senior constable Dave Porter said a member of the public found the trailer on its side about 4pm and called police.

"He appears to have lost control and left the road about 150 metres back from where the trailer's ended up... We're bloody lucky there wasn't a van load of vineyard workers on the road actually," Mr Porter said.

Firefighters from the Wairau Valley Volunteer Fire Brigade controlled traffic until police and road contractors arrived. Mr Porter said the commercial vehicle investigation unit was investigating. Meanwhile, Marlborough District Council staff were at the scene today continuing to clean up milk powder.

The powder can be dangerous if spilt into waterways because it can kill fish and other aquatic life by significantly reducing the oxygen content of the water.

Marlborough District Council compliance manager Garth Congdon said it was not considered an environmental hazard at this stage because it was not in liquid form and did not appear to be near any waterways.

He said the trucking company would be advised to sweep up, rather than hose off, what was left of the milk powder today.