Maungatapu van driver named

The driver of the van killed in a crash on the Maungatapu causeway on Monday night was Gregory Mark Woledge from Tauranga.

The 24-year-old was driving his work van towards Welcome Bay when police say it appears a Mitsubishi travelling towards Mount Maunganui crossed the centreline colliding with the van.

Right: Gregory Woledge was killed in the crash on Maungatapu Bridge on Monday. Photo: Facebook.

The van crashed through the bridge railing and fell about five metres into Rangataua Bay on the Welcome Bay side of the causeway at 6.10pm.

His passenger, a 23-year-old work colleague, managed to free himself and was rescued by Police Constable Deane O'Connor, a member of the Strategic Traffic Unit at Western Bay of Plenty Police.

The young electrician who died had a young child and a baby on the way. Police say his family has asked for privacy at this time.

Police investigating Monday night's fatal crash on the Maungatapu causeway would like to hear from any witnesses who haven't yet been spoken to.

Police at this stage believe the 6.10pm crash happened when a Mitsubishi travelling towards Mount Maunganui crossed the centreline, colliding with the Toyota van travelling in the opposite direction.

The van left the bridge plunging about five metres into five metre deep water. The Mitsubishi vehicle spun and another car travelling behind the Mitsubishi crashed into it.

Gregory's passenger managed to free himself from the vehicle and was helped to shore by Deane.

The 45-year-old male driver of the Mitsubishi and a 30-year-old woman and 31-year-old man from the third vehicle were taken to hospital with minor to moderate injuries.

Anyone with any information about this crash is asked to contact Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300.

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7 comments

To those involved

Posted on 14-08-2013 11:11 | By Jenny Wotten

Commiserations to the family of the deceased. Much kudos to the policeman who saved the other person's life, he is a real life hero.


sad

Posted on 14-08-2013 11:56 | By boss11

Kia kaha to the family of the young fella, waste of damn life. Still do not know why that mitsi crossed the line. We can only assume things, but need facts. DRIVERS, ALWAYS LOOK AHEAD FOR POTENTIAL HAZARDS WHEN DRIVING.


Very sad

Posted on 14-08-2013 13:09 | By NZgirl

That is such a narrow part of the highway I can't understand why someone would cross the centre line. So sorry for the family of the young guy and what a hero that cop is.


I always wondered..

Posted on 14-08-2013 14:46 | By bryceh

So sorry for the families involved :( I have seen some fairly scary situations on that bridge, particularly when it is windy.


Very Sad

Posted on 14-08-2013 17:09 | By mysay

My heart and prayers go out to the family. Yes drivers need to be more carefully but I also think that bridge needs to either be 60 to 80 km zone or needs to be made bigger.


Bridge Accident

Posted on 14-08-2013 18:58 | By sangrae

We drove over that bridge today and we some clown passing other cars at speed no brains maybe the speed limit should be reduced to 70km?


@sangrae

Posted on 15-08-2013 15:43 | By maildrop

why not reduce the speed limit to 10 kmph? Do you really think the "clowns" you see pay any attention to speed limits? They drive how they like and do dangerous things no matter what speed you and I adhere to. The answer is to crush cars and send them to prison for a long time when they are caught doing clown things. That way they are off the road. Problem solved.


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