KEY POINTS:
A 44-year-old driver died in a head-on collision between two trucks which left cargo strewn over a busy state highway yesterday.
Michael Peter Liddell, the driver of one of the trucks, was killed in the accident which blocked State Highway 5 between Taupo and Napier for 12 hours.
The accident occurred at 9.15am on a moderate left-hand bend about 3km east of Matea Rd.
Constable Mark Bond of Taupo police said the trailer on a truck bound for Napier slid into the opposite lane.
This caused the driver to lose control of his truck.
The trailer collided with another truck that was travelling towards Taupo, killing Mr Liddell.
The driver of the Taupo-bound truck was uninjured but was emotionally shaken by the crash.
The truck was carrying a cargo of paper and general goods, including aerosol spray cans.
Mr Bond said speed might have been a factor in the accident.
- NZPA
