New Zealand’s Waiho bridge swept away in huge storm

Concrete lumps fall into water before metal breaks off

A bridge on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island was washed away as gale force winds and heavy rainfall lashed the region.

As strong flood waters rose, the the Waiho Bridge, near Franz Josef was swept away earlier this week.

Lumps of concrete were filmed falling into the water as the bridge started to crumble because of the strain of the floodwaters.

Eventually, the bridge twisted sharply, before snapping off and being swept away in rough currents.

A state of emergency has been declared in some parts of New Zealand after torrential rain and high winds continue to batter the country’s west coast since the weeke.

New Zealand's Meteorological Service said the storm was “a significant event even by West Coast standards” and that residents are advised to avoid all travel unless essential.