Truck smashes into playground

A light commercial truck crashed through the Don Buck Kindergarten fence in Massey. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A light truck involved in a three-vehicle crash smashed into a West Auckland preschool playground yesterday just before children were due to arrive.

Police were called to the Don Buck Kindergarten, in Massey, about 8am. The truck collided with another, swerved towards the right lane and hit an oncoming vehicle before crashing into the preschool fence.

The first truck ended up in the kindergarten playground, where the children's swings hang. No children were hurt and the driver had only minor injuries, police said.

Traffic banked up towards Massey and Henderson as a tow truck was brought in and workers swept shattered glass from the road.

The accident happened metres from the school road patrol crossing.

Students at nearby Don Buck Primary School, parents and preschoolers looked on as police officers took photographs and spoke to the drivers.

The driver of the truck was visibly distressed; at times holding his head and pulling his hair.

Constable Dan Steele, of the Henderson police, said the truck had tried to overtake two vehicles - including the light truck immediately in front of him - and as a result swerved towards the kindergarten, crashing into an oncoming car and into the fence.

"The truck in front of him has stopped to let another vehicle turn into a driveway," Mr Steele said.

Police would investigate the crash, he said, but it appeared the driver had not seen the truck in front of him stop.

The driver of the second truck, self-employed contractor John Campbell, said: "It hit me hard in the back.

"Afterwards I parked and rushed over to see if he was all right, and the people in the other car."

Mr Campbell said he usually drove down that road in the morning and it was lucky no children had been on the footpath.

"The patrol wasn't out at the time either. If it had been half an hour later, someone would have been killed."

A teacher at the kindergarten had been standing in the playground area when the truck rammed through the fence.

She did not want to speak about what happened, but said she was thankful no children were outside at the time.