A 49-year-old Palmerston North man has died after the truck and trailer unit he was driving crashed through barriers and tumbled down a steep bank in the Manawatu Gorge overnight.
The crash is believed to have happened just after midnight when he was heading east towards Woodville.
Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said it appeared the driver lost control of truck, which came to rest about 15 to 20 metres down the bank. The trailer ended up about 25 metres down the bank, in the water.
The busy road which links Palmerston North with Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay is expected to be closed until at least this afternoon as a crane is brought in to recover the truck and trailer.
The driver will not be named until he has been formally identified.
The cause of the crash is being investigated by the serious crash investigation unit.
