Source: Radio New Zealand
The bridge over Hurupi Stream on Cape Palliser Road. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
It’s not “panic, panic” yet, but Ngawi crayfishers are keeping their fingers crossed that a failed bridge reopens soon on Wairarapa’s south coast.
While the bridge at the Turanganui River on Lake Ferry Road reopened on Wednesday, the bridge over Hurupi Stream on Cape Palliser Road remains shut.
The bridge, known as the ‘Banana Bridge’, has been deemed structurally unsafe after severe flooding earlier this week.
The road is the only route in and out for the more than 100 people trapped on the south coast, prompting food and medicine to be delivered by helicopter on Wednesday evening.
An update on the status of the bridge is expected on Thursday, following an urgent notice from the South Wairarapa District Council and subsequent assessment by a civil engineer.
“The bridge, often referred to as the Banana bridge, could pose a serious safety risk,” a council spokesperson said.
“The bridge must not be used under any circumstances until it has been inspected and formally cleared by a qualified engineer.”
Ngawi fisherman Andrew Sim told RNZ in his 40 years on the coast, the Banana Bridge had never gone down, and crayfishers and their stock were currently stuck.
“I think there’s nine of us here, six of us are finished [the season’s fishing], three still going to mop up the little bit they’ve got left,” Sim said.
“They’re probably a little bit left in the lurch to get their product out.”
He said the live lobsters were usually transported by truck out of the fishing settlement.
“I’ve got a big boat if worst comes to worst, I can transport it to Wellington.
“It’s not panic, panic at this stage, but it’d be nice to know where it’s heading.”
Crayfishers off the coast of Ngawi. Suppled/Andrew Sim
Crayfisher Lance Maindonald was also eagerly awaiting an update on the bridge.
Maindonald, who has been unable to get into Ngawi due to the bridge closures, said he was hoping to board a boat from Wellington to take him there.
Sim said his stepson was among those who needed to collect the last of his catch but was also trapped on the wrong side of the bridge.
“We’ll know a bit more later on.”
RNZ has contacted the council for an update.
A helicopter dropped supplies in Ngawi on Wednesday evening. Supplied/Kim Hayes
Sim said he was almost out of medication when the helicopter arrived on Wednesday with supplies.
“The chopper’s come in… and my goodness, what a haul of food that got delivered out to here.
“That went beyond all expectations, that was fantastic. Everything from fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, toilet paper, dog rolls, cat food. Basically, everything you needed to keep you alive for several days, that’s for sure.
“It was unbelievable.”
Sim didn’t expect there would be traffic “will-nilly” on the road any time soon, but hoped it would at least reopen to residents and those who needed to get in and out.
However, he said there were “certainly a lot worse places” to be stuck.
“We’re pretty blessed out here.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
