A driver is in a serious condition after his logging truck plunged up to 30 metres into the Buller River this morning.
He was rescued with the help of a local rafting company after becoming trapped in the cab of his unladen truck.
The truck was travelling south on State Highway 6 towards Murchison about 10am when it failed to take a bend, went through a fence, across a paddock and over a bank into the river, Sergeant Rob Crawford said.
The driver was stuck in the cab, which was partially submerged, for two hours before being rescued.
Police called on a river rafting company and a jet boat operator to help reach the driver.
Police spokeswoman Barbara Dunn said the driver was cut free then taken to Nelson Hospital in a serious condition by the Nelson Marlborough Rescue chopper.
SH6 was closed to one lane this afternoon and emergency services are helping to recover the truck.
