The NZ Transport Agency has released a report on South Westland's dramatic Waiho River Bridge collapse, saying that lack of maintenance wasn't to blame.
The report comes as incredible footage of part of the bridge being washed away in violent river waters swollen from a deluge of rain was captured on video Tuesday.
"It is unlikely anything could have been done to save the bridge," said Transport Agency System Manager Pete Connors, "given the massive force of the swollen river towards the north bank and the huge amount of rock pounding the bridge’s piers, on top of debris build-up over the course of the day."
This is despite the bridge undergoing rock work and maintenance just two weeks prior to the collapse.
Officials are warning motorists to avoid all non-essential travel in the area.
What happened?
According to the NZ Transport Agency, the Waiho is "one of the South Island’s most dynamic river systems, carrying massive amounts of boulders and rock in its water".
Over recent months, a build up of material in the centre of the river meant that its main channel had been pushed across to the right.
When the "significant flood event" hit this week the Transport Agency says it appears a large boulder struck the northern most pier in the river causing it to collapse and pulling other bridge spans down with it.
The Transport Agency say they are "fully committed" to getting the bridge operational again as soon as possible and hope to have it done within 7-10 days.
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