Person Dies Trying To Warn Motorists About Crash

A person died last night after being hit while trying to alert motorists to an accident on State Highway 1.

Police said the person was involved in a two-car accident which happened at Pohuehue, north of Auckland.

The person got out of the car to alert oncoming traffic to the crash but was struck and killed by a third vehicle, possibly a motorbike.

A Fire Service spokeswoman said firefighters were called to the accident shortly after 6pm yesterday.

The highway was initially closed, the Serious Crash Unit was called to investigate and motorists were asked to avoid the area.

The death happened just hours after a three-car accident on State Highway 5 which claimed one life and left two others in a critical condition.

Emergency services, including two rescue helicopters, attended the scene about 5km south of Rotorua at 4.45pm yesterday.

Senior Sergeant Mike Membery of the Bay of Plenty Police District Command Centre said there were at least six patients.

"This is a hard one to explain as they were all wearing their seatbelts and the weather was good," he said.

Emergency services, including two rescue helicopters, attended the scene about 5km south of Rotorua at 4.45pm. Photo / Supplied

A witness to the crash told the Rotorua Daily Post she was following a car that was wavering across the road.

She said she started honking the horn to warn the driver. A crash happened soon after. She said it was a real shock and happened really quickly.

"When I saw the car wavering across the centre line I honked my horn to try and warn the driver.

"It all happened very fast.

"You try and jump out and see what you can do to help. We just called the ambulance."

The Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter flew a 58-year-old Rotorua woman to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition with pelvic, chest and abdominal injuries. Her husband was flown to Waikato Hospital by the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter.

The other patients were taken to Rotorua Hospital by St John Ambulance.

Membery said the investigation into the cause was ongoing and he couldn't say what it could have been, but he wanted to give the public a general warning on driving to the conditions.

"We are coming into warmer weather and will be travelling a lot more. It's important to check your car is in good condition, but it's also important to make sure you are in good condition too."

He said if people felt tired or fatigued they should stop for a rest.

- NZ Herald