A truck driver was forced to seek refuge under a purpose-built concrete rock shelter in the middle of Arthurs Pass on State Highway 73 after a massive rockfall came down across the road.
The large shingle slide happened mid-afternoon on Monday, in the Otira Gorge on the West Coast side of Arthurs Pass.
The truck and trailer was travelling down a steep section of the alpine route when it was forced to come to a stop under the rock shelter, as boulders one metre in size, tumbled down, crashing onto the road and blocking traffic.
![A rockfall in front of the Rock Shelter with a truck and trailer inside State Highway 73 near Arthurs Pass. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/Y66BJZU6D7CEXYV7LL2MQIEL5E.jpg?auth=7173e0e23cbff033e644e00bf4ec04ea328a1a08b298e533ab9ca08da57aa400&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)