The Rodney Police Highway Patrol is at the scene of a head on crash between a milk tanker and a truck and trailer unit on State Highway 16 - two kilometres north of Jordan Road at Kaukapakapa. The drivers of both vehicles have been transported to North Shore Hospital with moderate injuries.
Police say the crash happened at about 2.00pm this afternoon, Thursday 12 October 2006, when a southbound Kenworth truck and trailer unit, suddenly jacknifed across the highway and hit a Volvo milk tanker heading north.
Both the tanker and the truck and trailer unit are significantly damaged. A heavy crane is at the scene to remove the vehicles. Members of the Auckland Regional Council Environmental Health Unit are in attendance to oversee any damage caused by the minor milk spillage which has occurred.
A substantial amount of milk remains in the tanker. A second tanker has arrived at the scene and a male coupling is being brought from Whangarei to carry out the necessary transfer of milk from inside the damaged vehicle.
Police say that when State Highway 16 is reopened in about half an hour it will be restricted to one lane for some considerable time. Diversions are presently in place for northbound traffic at Kahikatea Flat Road, and for southbound traffic at West Coast Road. Police will investigate the cause of the accident.
Ends:
Kevin [Kev] Loughlin
District Communications Manager
North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney Police
Telephone: 09-488-9758 - Mobile: 027-281-0271
Email: kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz