Critical Truck Crash Closes State Highway 1 North of Hampden
One person has been airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in critical condition following a serious truck crash that occurred this morning on State Highway 1 (SH1) near Hampden. The incident, which involved two trucks, was reported to police around 7:30 AM. The crash took place close to the intersection with Mile Flat Road, prompting immediate emergency response.
Emergency services, including one ambulance, a prime responder, a helicopter, and an operations manager from St John, quickly arrived at the scene. A spokesperson confirmed that one individual was assessed and subsequently transported by helicopter to Dunedin Hospital due to the severity of their injuries.
Traffic Disruptions and Road Closures
The crash has resulted in significant traffic disruptions, with reports indicating that vehicles were backed up for approximately five kilometers on either side of the closure. Witnesses described the collision as involving a bulk carrier truck and a logging truck with a trailer. The impact caused extensive damage, including the destruction of a power pole and logs scattered across the roadway.
Emergency responders had to extricate the driver of the bulk carrier truck from the cab before they could be airlifted to the hospital. The road remained closed throughout the morning, although it was partially reopened around 12:10 PM, allowing one lane to operate with traffic management in place for vehicles traveling in both directions.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) confirmed that the closure affected the stretch of SH1 between Mile Flat Road and Findlays Road. The Serious Crash Unit has been deployed to conduct a thorough examination of the scene, and motorists have been advised to expect ongoing delays in the area as cleanup and investigations continue.
