Karangahake Gorge was blocked for more than six hours today after a truck rolled and spilt its cargo across the road.
Thousands of drivers had 90 minutes added to their journey via a detour that sent cars and trucks on a big loop around the base of the Coromandel Peninsula via Paeroa, Kopu and Waihi.
The truck rolled and blocked the gorge between School Rd and Waitawheta Rd at 8.30am, closing State Highway 2 at Mackaytown. The driver was uninjured and a police spokeswoman said a crane was needed to remove the truck.
The gorge reopened to one lane through the accident scene at 3pm and two lanes shortly after 4pm.
Nick Spiers' first thought when he witnessed the truck roll right in front of him was, "Oh my God, the driver could be crushed".