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Alden Williams / Things
A truck rolled into the Upper Buller Gorge, blocking the road near the Buller River on the west coast. Stock Photo
Firefighters have contained a hazardous materials spill and a person has been flown to the hospital after a truck rolled into Buller Gorge.
The truck was carrying ammonium nitrate when it crashed on the Upper Buller Gorge Road, near Inangahua, on the west coast.
New Zealand Fire and Emergency Shift Manager Jon Ditmer said the Inangahua and Murchison fire teams responded to the incident just after 10 a.m.Thursday.
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The truck was reported to be carrying hazardous materials, so an additional team from Nelson was dispatched to help.
Ditmer said a small amount of ammonium nitrate was spilled in the accident and that it had been contained by the hazardous materials unit.
All of the fire crews were still on the scene near New Creek Rd at 1pm, working on recovery and cleanup.
St John’s communications adviser Gerard Campbell said a patient received moderate injuries in the accident and was flown to Nelson Hospital by helicopter.
Braden faster / stuff
An ATV towing a trailer has been blocked blocking the road on Whakatu Drive, State Highway 6, Nelson.
An NZTA update said State Highway 6 between the O’Sullivans Bridge and Inangahua was closed at 11:15 a.m. and that there was a detour through Springs Junction and Reefton.
An update on the road status would be given at 4pm. Police asked motorists to avoid the area.
The truck accident was one of two that blocked different parts of State Highway 6 on Wednesday morning.
It follows a two-vehicle accident on the Nelson Saxton Rd entrance ramp around 9:30 a.m.
A police spokeswoman said there were no reports of serious injuries.
A four-wheel drive vehicle towing a loaded trailer was on its side after the crash.
The northbound lane was blocked and traffic was diverted south of State Highway 6.
An NZTA update said the southbound lanes and one northbound lane of Whakatu Drive, near the intersection with Salisbury Rd, were closed for vehicle recovery.
A detour was in place at the Saxton Rd exit ramp, at Main Rd Stoke and then again at State Highway 6.
Another update was expected at 3pm.
