Truck strikes flower tribute

wta100913ctcrash01.jpg Truck crash on Akura Rd WMM 12Sep13 - WILD WINDS: Another truck and trailer unit, blocking SH2 at Clareville, Carterton, after high winds tipped the trailer blocking off bo

High winds forced a truck and trailer unit off the road in the exact spot where a young Masterton woman was killed only three weeks ago.

About 2.30pm yesterday a truck driver heading towards Masterton got into strife on Paierau Rd, where Shannon Buick, 20, was killed three weeks ago. The truck knocked down flowers placed in her memory.

It appeared high winds pushed the driver of the Truck and Trailer Rental and Lease truck, who didn't wish to be identified, off the road to the left into a farmer's fence before he veered across the road and careered into a paddock on the opposite side. The trailer unit toppled, landing upside down.

Another truck driver who didn't want to be named said he was surprised police hadn't closed the road to heavy vehicles because of danger from the "excessively strong winds".

"Maybe after a couple more trucks turn over they might close the roads," he said.

At the same time, a campervan on State Highway 2 near Clareville was blown over. The driver suffered minor injuries.

As well, a Booth truck and trailer was blown over, its side blocking both lanes just east of the Chester Rd intersection, Carterton, on the same highway.

Southbound traffic was diverted to East Taratahi Rd with many truck drivers choosing to park up on the side of the road to avoid a similar outcome.

Cars had been diverted up Somerset Rd but a toppled tree on the road forced traffic to turn back and take Park Rd.