One dead after truck crashes into ditch

A man has died after his truck and trailer unit crashed into a ditch, closing State Highway 4 this morning.

Wanganui police acting Sergeant Cathy Dalton said the crash happened about 1.30am, as the driver was travelling south, near Parikino, Wanganui.

The road was completely blocked by the unit which ended up on its side with the drivers cab in a ditch on the roadside, she said.

Emergency services attended the accident and the road was closed from the Wanganui end to the Raetihi end of the highway.

A crane was at the scene to lift the unit out of the ditch, when it would then be removed, she said.

The highway was expected to be closed for several hours while the wreckage was being removed.

- NZPA