Rescue under way for dozens stuck on frozen Napier-Taupo Rd

[JennyLeez]

 A dozen motorists are stuck in heavy snow on the Napier-Taupo Rd.

Eight trucks are stuck in snow on the Napier-Taupo Highway but the drivers refusing to leave their vehicles.

A rescue operation is under way to get to the motorists, after State Highway 5 was shut early this morning because of heavy snow and ice.

Police say the heavy haulage vehicles are just past Te Pohue, halfway between Napier and Taupo but, despite the worsening weather, the drivers are refusing to leave their vehicles.

 At this stage it appeared no cars were trapped on the road, said the police spokeswoman.

All are safe but rescuers do not know how long the trucks would remain snowbound. The highway was closed several hours ago as snow blanketed the central plateau.

"Police at the scene have said that the truck drivers are not wanting to leave their trucks," said the spokeswoman.

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence and police are trying to rescue the motorists, and transporting them to safety.

Civil Defence group manager Ian Macdonald said it was vital people don't drive past road closures.

A vicious winter storm has most of the country in its grip as freezing temperatures spread north.

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