Milk tanker overturns near Clinton

A man emerged relatively unscathed when the milk tanker he was driving overturned 2km south of Clinton this morning.

Senior Constable Murray Hewitson said the 26,000 litre milk tanker overturned on the Clinton-Mataura Highway shortly before 6am this morning.

The Milton-based truck was contracted by Fonterra to transport milk from Oamaru to its milk processing plant at Edendale in Southland.

Snr Const said police did not know what caused the crash, but believed speed or alcohol were not factors.

The driver escaped with minor bumps and bruises but it was expected he would be taken to Clutha Health First for a check-up.

NZTA advise that SH93, Clinton to Kaiwera Rd is closed while the site is being cleared. A detour is available from SH1 to Kaiwera Rd.