The driver of a truck-and-trailer unit carrying logs from Berwick Forest was lucky to escape without injury after a crash put his trailer off the road and sent the logs tumbling into a steep gully yesterday, police say.
The accident happened about noon when the trailer of the Dunedin Carrying Co Ltd truck skidded off Shaw Rd, on the edge of the forest block, and rolled, Constable Jim Jordan, of Milton, said.
The logs tumbled 100m, smashing several power poles and farm fencing on the way down, Const Jordan said.
The trailer rolled off the road but remained attached to the truck, which was being driven by a Balclutha man aged in his early 40s.
"It was quite lucky really he didn't go down the bank, as well. It would have been rather nasty, I imagine."
Police were not alerted to the crash until about four hours after it happened, by which time the scene had largely been cleared, he said.
The damaged vehicle will be inspected by the police commercial vehicle investigation unit today.
