Desert Rd Truck Crash: Police name driver
The driver of a truck which crashed into the Waihohonu Stream from SH1 Desert Road yesterday morning can now be identified as 51-year-old Dave Budge from Porirua, who was known to friends and family as Budgie. SH1 was re-opened shortly before 9pm last night following a significant search and recovery operation.
The truck will be examined over the coming days and an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Yesterday: 7.50pm:
The body of a man has been found in the Waihohonu Stream during the recovery of a truck and trailer which crashed on SH1 Desert Road early this morning.
The discovery was made as the cab of the truck which was partially submerged was lifted from the water using a crane.
The body was located in the water beneath the vehicle and is believed to be that of the driver.
Police can confirm that the driver is a 50-year-old man from Porirua but his name is not expected to be released until tomorrow once Police have confirmed that all family have been notified.
Police will be recovering the truck for examination and SH1 is expected to re-open later this evening.
There will be no further comment this evening.
3.40pm:
Waikato Regional Council’s emergency response team is expecting there will be no long-lasting environmental effects resulting from this morning’s truck crash into the Waihohonu Stream off State Highway 1 between Waiouru and Turangi.
A team of five council responders from Hamilton and Taupo has been at the crash site from this morning to advise emergency services on the environmental risks posed by the crash.
It’s since been confirmed that there was no radioactive material on board the truck and that it appeared no containers of an insecticide called Ripcord had got into the stream.
While diesel from the truck has got into the water and a drum of pool cleaning acid is missing, neither material is expected to cause a widespread or ongoing problem for aquatic life, stock or people, said emergency response manager Rob Dragten.
The Waihohonu is a substantial, fast-flowing stream, and the weather in the area has been good, so we’re expecting the diesel to be quickly dispersed in the water or evaporate in the sun.
“Any pool cleaning acid from the missing drum could cause problems if fumes are breathed in or if people come into direct contact with it. However, we also expect any leaked acid to be quickly dispersed and rendered harmless if it spills into the stream. So, while we’re keen to locate the missing drum, we don’t see that it presents a major risk at this stage,” Mr Dragten said.
There may also be some drums of a light oil in the river but there’s been no indication of any oil from the drums getting into the river at this stage. The council hopes the drums will be recovered intact.
The team at the site will continue assessing what further actions are required from the council. It’s likely council staff will have an ongoing role in ensuring an effective clean up at the site over coming days, Mr Dragten said.
NZFS Assistant Area Commander Nigel Richards says Fire Service personnel and equipment have now left the accident site and are returning to their base fire stations.
“We have worked closely with Environment Waikato and it appears as though none of the chemicals have leaked into the waterway. Contractors are now working with Environment Waikato and the Police to clean up the site and retrieve the containers that fell into the Waihohonu Stream.”
SH1 / Desert Road remains closed.
SH1 / Desert Road remains closed.
11.39am: A multi agency team has responded to the crash of a truck carrying hazardous materials on the Desert Road.
The New Zealand Fire Service Assistant Area Commander Nigel Richards said it has now been confirmed that the truck was not carrying any radio- active materials, despite the warning sign that was displayed.
The truck and trailer unit was carrying over 45 tonnes of general cargo as well as three 50kg containers of swimming pool cleaner and twelve, 1200ml containers of another potentially harmful chemical.
“We believe the small containers are still on dry land however the three containers of swimming pool cleaner have fallen into the Waihohonu Stream, along with some of the other goods that were on board. The three containers of pool cleaner appear to be intact and all the debris from the crash that has gone into the stream seems to have been stopped from going any further by the intake barrier at the Rangipo inlet.”
Environment Waikato staff, contractors and Police are at the scene.
The Fire Service has provided its hazmat/command unit to help with the Police operation. Police Incident Commander Sergeant Murray Hamilton said the Desert Road is likely to be closed for several hours, while the debris is cleared up. A search is still underway in the area for the driver of the truck.
10.30am:
Police are urging motorists to avoid the SH1 in the Tongariro National Park.
The Desert Road is now closed following a serious crash early this morning and will remain closed for some considerable time.
Diversions have been put in place and motorists need to consider that these diversions will add time to their journeys.
Police are working closely with the Fire Service at the scene. Safety to the personnel working at the scene, and to the wider public, is paramount.
The driver of truck involved in this crash is yet to be located.
9.10am:
The New Zealand Fire Service Assistant Area Commander Nigel Richards said it has now been confirmed that the truck was not carrying any radio- active materials, despite the warning sign that was displayed.
The truck and trailer unit was carrying over 45 tonnes of general cargo as well as three 50kg containers of swimming pool cleaner and twelve, 1200ml containers of another potentially harmful chemical.
“We believe the small containers are still on dry land however the three containers of swimming pool cleaner have fallen into the Waihohonu Stream, along with some of the other goods that were on board. The three containers of pool cleaner appear to be intact and all the debris from the crash that has gone into the stream seems to have been stopped from going any further by the intake barrier at the Rangipo inlet.”
Environment Waikato staff, contractors and Police are at the scene.
The Fire Service has provided its hazmat/command unit to help with the Police operation. Police Incident Commander Sergeant Murray Hamilton said the Desert Road is likely to be closed for several hours, while the debris is cleared up. A search is still underway in the area for the driver of the truck.
10.30am:
Police are urging motorists to avoid the SH1 in the Tongariro National Park.
The Desert Road is now closed following a serious crash early this morning and will remain closed for some considerable time.
Diversions have been put in place and motorists need to consider that these diversions will add time to their journeys.
Police are working closely with the Fire Service at the scene. Safety to the personnel working at the scene, and to the wider public, is paramount.
The driver of truck involved in this crash is yet to be located.
9.10am:
Police, Fire and Ambulance services are currently at the scene of a serious crash on SH1 Tongariro National Park.
At 04.22 this morning Police were notified that a truck was lying partially submerged in the Waihohonu Stream approximately one kilometre north of the Rangipo Intake Road between Waiouru and Turangi.
SH1 remains open to traffic however diversions are being put in place.
7.30am:
Reports a radioactive truck has crashed into a stream on the desert road and the driver is missing. The crash is believed to have happened early this morning.
7.30am:
Reports a radioactive truck has crashed into a stream on the desert road and the driver is missing. The crash is believed to have happened early this morning.