First stage of gorge crash recovery complete

The tractor unit of the truck which crashed this morning killing 49-year-old John Watene, has been recovered from the Manawatu Gorge and the road has now reopened.

Drivers are warned however that the gorge road will be closed again at 9am tomorrow morning for the second stage of the recovery which is the retrieval of the trailer unit, partially submerged in the river.

It is unknown at this stage how long the road will have to be re-closed but it is a tricky operation so motorists are advised to avoid the area.