SH1 closed after trailer blown over

State Highway 1 south of Balclutha was closed for about an hour yesterday after a trailer being towed by a truck was blown on to its side by strong wind near Kaihiku about 11am.

The driver, from Christchurch, was returning to Mataura from Dunedin with the empty trailer.

Police said high winds caused the trailer to overturn.

The truck remained upright and the driver was uninjured.

The trailer was righted by a digger and the road reopened.

SH1 from Oamaru to Gore, SH90 from Raes Junction to McNab and SH87 from Kyeburn to Mosgiel were all under strong wind advisories from the New Zealand Transport Agency yesterday as gusts had been expected to reach 100kmh in exposed places.

Winds were expected to reach the same speeds in South Otago again today.