The body of a truck driver has been recovered this afternoon from the wreckage of his truck and trailer unit which crashed on the Otira Highway between Arthurs Pass and Greymouth yesterday.

The driver was Piki Lewis Jones, aged 34 years, from Napier. His family have asked that their privacy be respected at this time.

Constable Brett Currie, Greymouth Police, said the wreckage of the trailer unit was able to be lifted this afternoon enabling Fire Service personnel to cut into cab and remove Mr Jones body.

Emergency Services personnel are no longer at the scene.