Quick action by a Downer EDI Works crew prevented major traffic build-ups when an estimated six tonnes of rock fell on the road to Kingston yesterday.
About 11m and both lanes of the Devil's Staircase section of State Highway 6 were covered when debris fell from the sheer rock face about 1.30pm.
The four contractors were working on watertabling and using a six-tonne digger, an 11-tonne truck and stop-go signs about 1.5km north of the site when the rocks fell.
One of the contractors, who declined to be named, said a passing motorist informed the team, and they arrived at the scene just as the Queenstown Lakes District Council contacted them.
The contractors cleared one lane for traffic in five to 10 minutes.
"It's just lucky we were there on the spot," the contractor said.
"We got there quick enough to avoid a traffic jam .. . We secured the site and we're into it."
It took about 45 minutes to clear rocks from both lanes of the highway.
Debris was deposited at a designated dump site.
