Truck crashes on both sides of motorway

Several drivers were lucky to escape serious injury when a truck crashed into a two vehicles before rolling on Dunedin's Southern Motorway yesterday.

Constable Tim Coudret, of Mosgiel, said the truck was carrying gravel on Saddle Hill Rd when its driver appeared to lose control.

He said the truck crashed through a metal railing on to the motorway, crossed both southbound lanes, crashed through the wire barrier, and crossed both north-bound lanes before crashing through another metal railing and coming to rest on its roof on the opposite side of the motorway.

During the incident, the truck collided with a northbound and a southbound vehicle.

Emergency services were called about 3.30pm and a St John Ambulance spokesman said two people were taken to Dunedin Hospital with minor injuries.

Const Coudret said there was a lot of damage to the road, barriers and vehicles involved.

''It's extremely lucky that it's not more serious.

''It's an extremely busy time on the motorway, and very lucky that there was minimal other vehicles involved.

''It's just a timely reminder to people to be aware of other traffic, and drive to the conditions.''

The northbound lanes of the motorway were temporarily closed for a time and traffic was detoured through Quarry Rd, in Mosgiel, and along Morris Rd to Fairfield, while a large crane removed the truck.