Sheep killed after truck rolls

A truck crash in the Far North has killed some of the 150 sheep on board and injured others.

The truck and trailer unit rolled onto its roof on State Highway 10, between Paewhenua Island and the Hihi turnoff, about 4pm today.

Inspector Lou Alofa of police northern communications said the driver was shaken but suffered no injuries.

"He's a very lucky man.''

The truck was carrying about 150 sheep but it was not yet known how many had been killed or injured, or whether any needed to be put down.

A local vet was unavailable so one had to be called in from Kaitaia.

Both lanes of the highway had to be closed, causing a backlog of traffic.

One lane has since been reopened and the congestion has eased.

The road would again be closed to both lanes of traffic when a crane and tow truck arrived to right the truck.

There were no roads for traffic to be diverted along and motorists were advised to avoid the area.