Tow truck preparing to tow away trailer holding wooden pellets, just outside Ohau, on SH1 (Manakau)

At around 2:00 pm on the 22nd of December, 2019; a car crossed the center line on a bridge near Manakau (Ohau), an oncoming truck had no choice but to swerve out of the way of the car but there was little time.

A fatality was reported from the scene by Police (following a suspected medical event).

The truck driver had little to no injuries.

“The circumstances of the crash will be subject to investigation,” a police statement said.

Residents have complained about no detour for years along this stretch on SH1; many complaints have been said to the Council & NZTA to create a new back road or detour to prevent an event like this happening again traffic-wise.

Traffic delays will be in place from 10:00 pm to 4:30 am rough to remove the rig from its a crash scene, this means that the road will be closed & not open either way (north or southbound)

“We have David on a flight home this evening to his family. Our thoughts and sympathies are with those involved. We thank our friends at Emmerson Transport for acting on our behalf and assisting on the scene.” said Alle McGrath (General Manager, People & Safety of Hilton Haulage Limited)