A delivery van packed with beer and RTDs rolled over on its side in Whangārei this morning, spilling its alcoholic cargo all over the road and causing major traffic delays.
Police said the single-vehicle crash was reported on Riverside Dr at 11.37am near the intersection with Old Onerahi Rd.
The van ended up on its side, blocking both lanes and backing up traffic heavily.
Contractors have been called to clear the scene, and the vehicle has since been uplifted. No serious injuries were reported.
Dozens of boxes burst open on impact, sending hundreds of bottles and cans skittering across the road.
Among the brands scattered across the asphalt were Lion Red, Speight’s Summit Ultra, Heineken, Steinlager, and Hyoketsu.
Kia Hawes, who witnessed the crash, said the van wasn’t speeding.
"The back wheels of the van started sliding and then it flipped on its side. It wasn’t speeding or anything as it went past us just before it happened," she told 1News.
Her husband saw the crash in his rear-view mirror and rushed to help.
"He held the door of the van open so someone could climb in and remove the boxes of liquor that the man was buried under. They managed to get the man out who seemed uninjured but his neck seemed sore."
Hawes said bystanders helped clear broken bottles from the road.
"The man was delivering liquor for the store in Onerahi as he had a work shirt on with Super Liquor on it. We just went past now and they are still cleaning the road."
Another local told 1News the scene reeked of beer.
"The driver seemed fine and was walking about soon afterwards."
He said traffic was "backed up heavily" and that the community had been trying for years to get the speed limit on the stretch of road reduced.
Police said delays were expected until contractors finished clearing the remaining debris.
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