Huge cranes pluck flipped truck from Wellington bank

· RNZ
Residents watching as cranes attempt to salvage wreck.Photo:

An attempt is being made to retrieve a multi-tonne truck that rolled off a winding road and down a bank in Wellington's Aro Valley.

The multi-tonne truck crashed down a bank on Thursday morning and landed only a couple metres from occupied homes.

The truck was being held in place by a cable as crane drivers attempted to lift the truck up the bank.

Residents were watching the salvage attempt take place.

Cranes on crash site after powerlines were cut down and cars were towed to make room.Photo: RNZ/Mary Argue

Mortimer Terrace was closed overnight, with cordons in place, and ten residents had been vacated because of the risk the truck might fall on them.

Linesman had to cut down power lines above the scene of the truck crash for the cranes to fit on the narrow, winding road.

A truck towed parked cars from surrounding streets which had caused delays as the key crane, that would pull the sump truck out, made it's way to site.

A multi-tonne truck flipped in Aro Valley on Thursday.Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The driver was not inside when the truck rolled and no-one was injured.

The council said it did not know the precise reason the truck rolled and said the investigation would be a matter for the police.

The truck belonged to a subcontractor for Fulton Hogan and was used for vacuuming stormwater drains.

Work to retrieve the truck begin at 7 o'clock on Friday.

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