Truck plunges 30m in fatal Wairarapa crash

A police cordon was thrown up on the corner of Te Whiti and Admiral roads near Gladstone, after a 46-year-old driver died when his spreading truck plummeted 30 metres down a bank. PHOTO/NATHAN CROMBIE

A 46-year-old driver who worked for a spreading truck company has died after he was thrown 30 metres down a bank in Gladstone, yesterday.

"The sole occupant was pronounced dead at the scene," said Chris Megaw, Wairarapa Police traffic sergeant.

The accident happened just before 4pm on Admiral Rd and the man was found unconscious, said Wellington Free ambulance spokesperson Daniel Paul.

The cause of the crash was being investigated by the police's serious crash unit.

Mr Megaw said it was not related to the severe gales that had been battering the region.

Carterton Fire deputy chief Brian Styles said the truck and trailer had rolled down the bank and ended "up against some trees."

Fire chief Wayne Robinson said the accident happened about three or four kilometres up the road and there were no passengers in the truck.

Mr Paul said the Life Flight helicopter was unable to get to the accident scene because of the wind storm so a road ambulance was sent.

Tenix linesmen and residents who live on Admiral Rd were blocked at the Te Whiti Rd intersection.

One linesman had been trying to get to a digger wrapped in powerlines.

A policewoman at the scene said the road would be closed for two hours at least.