Waikato, New Zealand— A stretch of State Highway 1 near Huntly was shut for five hours Friday morning after a cargo truck and a van collided head-on, killing one driver at the scene. Police said the crash happened just after 7:30 a.m. in heavy fog. The van driver died before paramedics could free him.
The truck was traveling north carrying building supplies. The van was heading south. For reasons still unclear, the truck crossed the center line on a slight bend. The van driver swerved but had nowhere to go. The impact pushed both vehicles into a ditch. Debris scattered across 100 meters of road.
"It was a massive impact, metal wrapped around metal," a volunteer firefighter who was first on scene said. He said the truck driver was out of his cab and in shock, covered in diesel. The van was crushed on the driver's side. Hydraulic cutters were needed to reach the man inside. St John confirmed death at 8:05 a.m.
Police closed both lanes between Huntly and Ohinewai. Queues built to six kilometers. Motorists were diverted through side roads that quickly clogged. The Waikato Times reported school buses were delayed and several freight deliveries missed. NZTA warned the closure would last until early afternoon for a full scene examination.
The truck driver, a 38-year-old from Hamilton, was taken to Waikato Hospital with moderate injuries and is being spoken to by investigators. He tested negative for alcohol at the roadside. His truck's dashcam and logbook have been seized. Police said speed and fatigue are being looked at alongside visibility.
Locals said that section of highway is known for fog and narrow shoulders. A nearby dairy farmer said he has seen three serious crashes there in two years. "You get fog sitting low and trucks come fast around that bend," he said. NZTA said it had installed new reflective markers there in June but has no barrier planned.
Serious Crash Unit investigators measured skid marks and photographed the wreckage from above with a drone. They will examine tyre condition, load weight and brake performance. The van, owned by a plumbing firm, was not carrying passengers. The victim's family has been notified and is receiving support from Victim Support.
The highway reopened at 12:45 p.m. with a temporary 50 km/h limit. Police are asking for dashcam footage from anyone who traveled the road between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. The inquiry continues and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
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