One dead, one critical after horrific Otago crash

Traffic backed up behind the scene of a fatal crash in Otago this morning and inset, the wreckage of the truck and car involved. Photos / Oamaru Mail

A man is dead and another is in a critical condition after a horrific crash north of Palmerston, Otago, this morning.

The head-on collision between a car and a truck occured in heavy fog at around 5am at the bridge over Baghdad Creek.

Oamaru police Sergeant Tony Woodbridge said the force of the impact sent the south-bound truck off the bridge and down into the creek, while the north-bound car was thrown into a ditch on the other side of the road.

The truck was carrying flour, which mixed with the diesel from the fuel tanks, ruptured on impact and burst into flames.

Another truck driver came upon the scene shortly after the crash and called 111.

When the fire service, police and ambulance staff arrived they found a terrifying inferno engulfing the truck.

Oamaru, Hampden and Palmerston firefighters worked to free the driver of the car and put out the flames.

The truck driver, a Christchurch man in his 60s, died at the scene. The driver of the car was airlifted to hospital in Dunedin.

The fog was so thick the rescue helicopter could not land at the scene and had to touch down in Palmerston. An ambulance raced to the scene and took the driver back to the helicopter.

Mr Woodbridge said SH1 was closed from 5am until around 9.30am. Traffic was backed up to Palmerston in the south and 15-20km to the north. No diversion was possible.

"We'd like to thank drivers for their patience," he said. "Everyone's been really good."

Officers from the serious crash investigation team and the commercial vehicle inspection unit were at the scene to launch their enquiry.

Removing the truck debris from the creek bed will be "a major job", Mr Woodbridge said.

Heavy lifting equipment will have to be sent up from Dunedin for the task. There is also a substantial diesel slick on the road surface.

Waitaki Civil Defence co-ordinator Chris Raine said the incident saw a "full turn-out of emergency services".

- Oamaru Mail