A Queenstown truck driver was fined for having an insecure load after three and a-half tonnes of structural steel fell on to Frankton Rd yesterday morning.
Constable Sharon Stephens, of Cromwell police's commercial vehicle investigation unit, said the truck had the right number of tethers but the steel was resting on a metal headboard and slipped in heavy rain.
No-one was injured but the driver was shaken.
Const Stephens said it was extremely lucky no-one was on a raised pedestrian island - three street signs were sheared off at the base.
Dart Engineering managing director Regan Williamson said it was an unfortunate incident on a notorious corner and the truck was fully compliant.
The company would make modifications to the truck, as suggested by police, he said.
by David Williams
