SH1 near Taupo to be closed for truck recovery

A truck which plunged into Lake Taupo yesterday, killing the driver, will be recovered tonight.

Christopher Henare Hammond, 23, from Tauranga, was the sole occupant of the truck. He was killed when it plunged off the State Highway 1 near Bulli Point, about 30km southwest of Taupo, in the central North Island, about 11.30am yesterday.

Mr Hammond was driving a truck-and-trailer unit carrying meat products, travelling from Turangi toward Taupo.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said SH1 between Taupo and Turangi would be closed from 8pm today until 6am tomorrow for the recovery of the truck.

During the closure a well-signposted detour would be in place for state highway through traffic around the western side of Lake Taupo from Poihipi Road, just north of Taupo township, to Turangi via SH32 and SH41.

Northbound traffic wanting to rejoin SH1 at Tokoroa could do so by continuing along SH32, over the Whakamaru Dam. Traffic travelling to Hamilton and Auckland from further south could also turn left at Waiouru and travel to Hamilton via SH49 to Ohakune, SH4 to Taumarunui, and SH3 via Te Kuiti, Otorohanga and Te Awamutu.

- NZPA