Runaway trailer causes chaos in central Queenstown

File photo / NZ Herald

A runaway trailer caused havoc in central Queenstown today when it careened down a street, crashing into two vehicles before coming to a rest outside the local courthouse, police say.

The 2500kg trailer detached from a Tricky Trees truck while it was travelling along Stanley Street, forcing the truck into a 180 degree spin, Sergeant Steve Watt, of Queenstown police, told NZPA.

"It appears the trailer has skidded sideways past the vehicle... at which point the force of the trailer skidding downhill has caused the safety chain and bull joint to fail, breaking away from the truck."

It then smashed into a vehicle driven by a young woman, causing her vehicle to spin in a circle before crashing into a pole.

The out of control trailer continued down the street and hit the back of a Ford Territory, which was parked outside the Queenstown courthouse, before finally stopping, Mr Watt said.

"Luckily no one was injured as a result."

It would have been a "harrowing ordeal" seeing the custom-made trailer coming towards the vehicles, Mr Watt said.

The trailer was carrying a wood-chipping unit.

The truck and trailer would be assessed by Vehicle Testing NZ and police to check for any faults.

- NZPA