Four people have died and one person has been critically injured in two separate, head-on crashes involving trucks on State Highway 1 in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.
A local police commander has described it as a “shocking day on the roads”.
Emergency services first responded to a two-vehicle crash near Marton at around 8.50am.
Police confirmed this afternoon two people died in the crash between a truck and a bus which wasn’t carrying any passengers.
The crash occurred under a rail bridge between Wings and Calico lines.
“The drivers were the sole occupants of the vehicles,” a police spokesperson said.
“Police are providing support to their families.”
Police said the two-vehicle crash which has blocked State Highway 1 was reported at around 8.50am. (Source: 1News)
A second double-fatal crash occurred south of Waiouru following a collision between a car and a truck at around 11.05am. The crash occurred between Hassett Dr and Waiaruhe Rd.
Police also confirmed this afternoon two people were killed and a young person was critically injured when they were ejected from the vehicle.
“The driver of the truck is unharmed, but understandably shaken by the traumatic events,” a spokesperson said.
“Police are providing support to the families of those involved, along with the members of the public who were first on the scene.”
‘Horror’ crash scenes are a warning to other drivers
Whanganui Area Commander Inspector Neil Forlong said “both crash scenes were horrific”, adding that it had been a “shocking day on the roads”.
“In both cases, the vehicles collided head on, causing significant damage that created its own challenges for emergency services, who have had to use specialist tools to get into the vehicles,” the police inspector said in a media release.
“Today was a worst-case scenario. We know this will impact a lot of people — family, friends, emergency service personnel, and the other motorists who were just on their way to a destination but stopped to help.
“If you’re on the road, please take your time, and don’t forget how quickly things can go horribly wrong.”
Forlong praised the action of the members of the public who were first on the scene to both crashes, and the emergency responders.
“They were faced with something nobody should ever have to confront — but seeing people in need, they did what they could to help.”
He urged anyone on the roads, especially over the upcoming Labour Weekend, to remember the four lives that were lost in his area.
“This shows how little time you have to react to something going wrong.
“You might be a confident driver, but don’t lose sight of the fact you’re sharing the road with other people,” Forlong said.
The serious crash unit has carried out examinations at both scenes.
Police’s commercial vehicle safety team will carry out inspections of both vehicles at Marton and the truck involved in the crash south of Waiouru.
Inquiries to establish the cause of the crashes will likely take some time, police said.
Police’s commercial vehicle safety team will carry out inspections of both vehicles at Marton and the truck involved in the crash south of Waiouru.
Inquiries to establish the cause of the crashes will likely take some time, police said.
State Highway 1 has reopened at Marton and is expected to reopen south of Waiouru this afternoon.
“Initially one lane only will be re-opened under traffic management.”