A tree which fell across State Highway 85, near Dunback, caused three separate accidents, with one involving the fire appliance which went to the aid of a couple who had crashed into the tree.
A 62-year-old Ranfurly man, driving a four-wheel-drive utility, hit the tree, near McLew Rd, at 1.30am on Sunday and rolled his vehicle.
The man's wife, who was following in a car, did not see the tree, crashed into it, and then hit her husband's vehicle.
The utility was extensively damaged and there was minor frontal damage to the car.
The Palmerston Volunteer Fire Brigade was called.
The driver of the fire appliance did not see the tree and crashed into it, causing extensive frontal damage to the appliance.
The fire appliance was following the prime nurse, who was also responding to the call.
One of the crash victims was attempting to wave down motorists, to warn them about the tree.
The nurse spotted them and who moved to the left but the fire appliance driver who had not see the warning, hit the tree, which the nurse had not seen, either.
It was "one of those really unfortunate things", Mr Davis said.
A spare appliance has been sent from Dunedin while the Palmerston vehicle is repaired.
The driver of the utility was taken by ambulance to Dunedin Hospital with back injuries.
His wife and the fire appliance driver were shaken but not hurt.
Constable Stefan Witehira suspected the base of the "huge" pine tree had been softened by recent rain and "it's just gone over".
While emergency services were at the crash scene, a second tree fell into a paddock.
The couple, who were shaken by the experience, asked that their names not be released.
Palmerston's chief fire officer Geoff Davis, who was not in the appliance, said it was a "terrible" night with thick, heavy drizzle and visibility was "zilch".
Const Witehira said the tree's dark pine needles made it virtually impossible to see.
