State Highway 2 between Waihī and Paeroa reopens after truck accident

State highway 2 between Waihī and Paeroa has been reopened after a truck crashed into the Karangahape gorge this morning.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said on its Twitter page this afternoon that the highway would remain closed until later tonight “due to the complex nature of the vehicle recovery process.”

“Please avoid traveling in this area or be prepared for a long detour,” said the tweet.

Between 10 and 15 cows were in the river and on the road after a cargo truck pulled off the road this morning, a fire and emergency spokeswoman said.

The emergency services were called to the accident on State Highway 2 around 9.23 a.m.

Other cows were still in the truck, he said.

The accident occurred between the school and Waitawheta Rds.

A police spokeswoman said the driver was out of the vehicle and was not injured.

Three Waihī and Paeroa fire apparatus went to the scene, as well as a vet.