A truck driver killed in a crash on the Invercargill-Bluff highway early on Wednesday worked for Hokonui Rural Transport in Gore.
The trucking company is part of the HW Richardson Group.
HW Richardson Group director Scott O’Donnell said the man’s death was a “big, big loss for the business and an even bigger loss for the family”.
The truck and trailer was loaded with fertiliser at South Port in Bluff and was heading north towards Awarua [between Bluff and Invercargill] when the vehicle tipped over after 3am, he said.
It was too “early to speculate” how the crash occurred, and O’Donnell declined to make comment about the driver.
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Kavinda Herath/Stuff
State Highway 1 between Bluff and Invercargill is blocked after a fatal truck crash.
“Our guys are obviously in contact with the family in a close way and we are doing everything we can to help them at a terrible time.”
A Fire and Emergency spokesman said crews were called to the scene on State Highway 1 in Greenhills, Invercargill, at 3.23am on Wednesday.
Crews were assisting police with traffic management and referred all other comment to police.
In a statement, police said a person had died in the crash.
The road was blocked and was expected to remain closed “for some hours”. The police serious crash unit were also attending and no alternative routes were available.
Kavinda Herath/Stuff
Truckies carrying three small houses towards Bluff have parked up after the Invercargill-Bluff highway was closed due to a fatal crash early on Wednesday.