In what firefighters have described as “a war scene”, one person has died following a crash between a car and tanker that led to a vehicle hitting a house overnight in Southland.
A police spokesperson said emergency services were called to SH1 in Edendale at 10.20pm.
“One of the vehicles has gone on to hit a house,” the spokesperson said.
One person died at the scene, the tanker driver had minor injuries and no one inside the house was injured, the spokesperson said.
“The Serious Crash Unit and Commercial Vehicle Safety Team conducted a scene examination.”
Edendale Chief Fire Officer Brent Shepherd said they were supplying support to the tanker driver and the house occupants overnight.
“It was like a war scene, after a collision like that between a car and a tanker,” he said.
Shepherd said the tanker came up to rest against the house.
“There’s been some lucky people overnight,” he said.
Police told the Herald there were five occupants in the house at the time.
Fonterra’s national transport and logistics general manager Paul Phipps said the company was assisting police with their inquiries.
“One of our tankers was involved in a crash with another vehicle in Edendale last night,” Phipps said.
“Our driver has minor injuries, and we are providing him support. We are supporting the family who owned the home that was damaged.”
The road is down to one lane with traffic control at the scene. It is expected to be reopened this afternoon.
Officers were photographed helping to paint protest signs.