WAIOURU POLICE FILE

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 601, 29 August 1995, Page 2

WAIOURU POLICE FILE

• On 25 August a truck driver had a lucky escape when his 'B train' truck and trailers hit ice travelling north over the Waikato Stream bridge on the Desert Road. "He was going slow, only doing 40 kilometres per hour when he jack-knifed the tractor and front trailer of his B train, going off the bank and literally hanging over a 100 foot drop," Waiouru Police Constable Mike Martin said. 'That man' s very lucky to be alive, very lucky. Another six feet and he would have been history." Mr Martin said two McGinty's trucks, a Ruapehu District Council grader and the 4th Field Workshop army M816 recovery vehicle were all used to pull the vehicle back on to the road. "The road was closed that morning at 8am, — he was probably one of the last ones through, " Mr Martin said. He said the road had been closed because of ice and probably would have re-opened around lunch time, but because of the accident did not open until 2.30pm. There have been fatal accidents at the same site in the past, Mr Martin said. • A car and shed were broken in to behind a Waiouru business around 20 August with a small amount of cash and a radar detector being stolen. • On Saturday 26 August Waiouru police processed a 21 year old woman for driving with excess breath alcohol. • Also on Saturday a black wallet and a fairly distinctive strapless watch were handed in to Waiouru police. The owner is requested to contact the station.