Fatal truck crash closes SH73 – Otira Highway

Steep terrain is making it difficult for emergency services to free the body of a driver of a truck which plunged down a gorge on the Otira Highway between Arthur’s Pass and the West Coast this morning.

Greymouth Police say the crash happened on a steep and narrow downhill section of the highway about 6.30am today. The fully laden truck and trailer unit was heading towards Greymouth when it went off the road and crashed 50m down the gorge to the edge of the Otira River.

“Our Serious Crash Investigation Unit is at the scene along with other emergency services,” said Constable Brett Currie, Greymouth Police. “The driver is trapped in the cab of the truck. Heavy lifting equipment is being brought in to help extricate the man’s body.”

Police say the driver’s name will not be released until he has been formally identified.

It’s too early to say what caused the crash but the road will remain closed for the rest of the day until the scene is cleared.

Constable Currie said police believe only the driver was in the cab but will not know for certain until the wreckage is lifted.

“The weather conditions were appalling at the time and we don’t know if this was a contributing factor or not,” Constable Currie said. “We’d certainly like to hear from any other people who were using the same section of road around the time of the crash to help us with information on how the crash happened.”

People can contact Greymouth Police on : 03 768 1600