To be attributed to Inspector Todd Moore-Carter, Road Policing Manager, Waitemata Police
A number of emergency services remain onsite at the scene of a fatal truck crash in Hebe Place, Birkenhead.
The crash occurred shortly after 11am this morning. Sadly, one person died at the scene. Another was taken to hospital and remains there with moderate injuries.
The task of removing the truck is very challenging. It has gone down a very steep bank and slid around 25 metres onto it’s side in thick bush. It is currently resting on soft ground.
Because of the inclement weather it is too dangerous to continue any further to try and remove the truck tonight and the task of doing this will resume tomorrow, using heavy haulage trucks.
Kauri Road and Hebe Place will be reopened shortly and whilst we thank the public for their patience today, we would ask that members of the public refrain from going to the site to have a look. It is dangerous and unstable.
Worksafe NZ have attended the site. The Waitemata Police Serious Crash Unit have been there since the crash occurred and will be investigating.
At this stage there is no indication of how or why the crash occurred and investigations will take several weeks before the cause is determined.
The victim’s next of kin are still being notified and will not be named today.
ENDS
Beth Bates/Waitemata Police