Road users in parts of the South, including Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago, Wanaka and Twizel, were warned to watch out for black ice after overnight rain and cold temperatures in these areas.
The Lindis Pass on State Highway 8 (Tarras to Omarama) was closed for hours from early today after a truck and trailer jack-knifed on the Morven Hill Bridge, blocking part of the alpine pass outside Forest Range Station.
The driver was not hurt and was able to get out of the truck, a police spokeswoman said.
The crash was reported at 4.53am, about 12km south of the summit of the Lindis Pass on the Central Otago side.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said crews from Omarama, Luggate, Cromwell and Tarras attended.
On arrival, they discovered there was black ice on the roads which made the alpine pass "very treacherous".
Part of a barrier to the Morven Hill Bridge was wiped out.
The highway was down to one lane for a time, under stop/go traffic management, but in an update around 4pm the NZ Transport Agency said the road was clear.
Heavy machinery was used to help remove the truck in the afternoon.
OTHER CRASHES
Meanwhile, just before 7am, another car was involved in a crash after it rolled on the Luggate-Tarras Rd (SH8A), near the Red Bridge, the Fenz spokesman said.
There have been several reports of crashes in the Wanaka and Twizel area since 6am, he said.
"We want people to be very careful out there".
St John spokesman Gerard Campbell said staff were notified about the Luggate-Tarras Rd crash at 6.59am and sent an ambulance. One person was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
An ambulance was also sent to a crash on the Wanaka-Luggate Highway (SH6) after being alerted at 6.22am. One person was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Two people were taken to Lakes District Hospital with minor injuries after a crash in Malaghans Rd, near Arrowtown. St John was alerted to that incident at 7.33am, Mr Campbell said.
Emergency services were also called to a crash in Cardrona Valley Rd at 7.55am. Mr Campbell said one ambulance was sent and two people with minor injuries were treated at the scene.
'SLOW DOWN TO ARRIVE ALIVE'
Police urged motorists to take extra care due to the wintry road conditions.
"Roads can become icy and slick when it's cold so remember to increase the following distance between you and the car in front to ensure you have enough time to stop safely.
"When you’re on a wet, icy, or snowy road, it’s important not to brake suddenly or to accelerate quickly, as you could aquaplane or skid.
"In these situations, more than ever, driving to the conditions is crucial. Slow down to arrive alive."
A spokesman for the Queenstown Lakes District Council said earlier this morning that black ice had formed on numerous roads. He said this was extremely hard to spot, and although contractors were gritting roads there may be some areas that were still hazardous.
"Roads will be dangerous, so first and foremost, please adjust your speeds today and drive with extra caution."
There was black ice on Malaghans Rd, in the Dalefield area, in the Cardrona Valley and up on the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wanaka, he said.
it was also icy between Queenstown and Arthurs Point, so road users would need to be extra cautious when driving over bridge decks or through shady spots.
In Central Otago, there was black ice also affecting roads in Alexandra and Clyde.
In Southland, the Homer Tunnel on the Milford Road (SH94) will close from 6pm tonight until 1am tomorrow for maintenance.
The tunnel will temporarily open to vehicles queued from 9pm to 9.15pm to clear any traffic. Road users should plan their journeys accordingly.
- ODT Online, Kerrie Waterworth and Marjorie Cook
