Onion truck driver rescued by plumber after crash on Taradale Rd in Napier

A truck and container filled with onions toppled over a light truck causing traffic delays yesterday afternoon. Photo/Duncan Brown

The driver of a light truck partly crushed by a truck-and-trailer unit came to the aid of the other man at the wheel yesterday afternoon.

The light truck, truck-and-trailer unit and a car were involved in the incident, which left the light truck partially trapped under the trailer on the roundabout intersecting Taradale Rd and the Hawke's Bay Expressway.

The driver of the O'Briens Plumbing and Bathroomware truck managed to climb out of the window and onto the container, before reportedly smashing the windscreen of the truck-and-trailer unit and pulling the other driver out to safety.

A truck and container filled with onions toppled over a light truck causing traffic delays yesterday afternoon. Photo/Duncan Brown

The 1.35pm crash was attended by fire, police and ambulance service.

Traffic was reduced to one lane and cordons put in place.

It is believed the truck-and-trailer unit, which was carrying onions, was on its way to Napier Port.

At the scene, senior station officer Lee Kupa said a major concern was the street light which was "virtually balancing on nothing".

A truck and container filled with onions toppled over a light truck causing traffic delays yesterday afternoon. Photo/Duncan Brown

He said there was also a small amount of oil spillage but they had isolated the vehicle's batteries, so there was no risk of fire.

No injuries were reported but the road remained reduced to one lane until the trucks were removed and the street light made safe.

A truck and container filled with onions toppled over a light truck causing traffic delays yesterday afternoon. Photo/Duncan Brown