A 38-year-old man was killed today when his light truck collided with a logging truck in Napier, throwing him into the inner harbour.
Police said a doctor on the scene, who went to the aid of the deceased in ankle-deep water, said he believed the man died immediately on impact.
The head-on collision occurred close to Hawke's Bay Airport, between Prebensen Drive and Meeanee Quay, about 1.23pm.
Police said it appeared the driver of the south-bound light Nissan truck was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the logging truck was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital for observation after he started to display symptoms of shock.
The Expressway has been closed as the Serious Crash Unit completes an investigation amidst a 100-metre trail of debris.
