Waihi crash victims - no helmets

UPDATED 2PM: The two motorcyclists who remain in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital following a crash between a motorcycle and car in Waihi were not wearing helmets.

The crash at the intersection of Kenny and Baber streets happened about 7.30pm Saturday with the two men sustaining critical injuries.


The intersection of Kenny and Baber streets, Waihi.

Waikato Road Policing Manager Inspector Freda Grace says initial indications are that neither of the men were wearing helmets.

The incident occurred a few hours after a motorcyclist in his 70's was killed after colliding with a car on State Highway 25, just north of Thames.

Waikato District Health Board communications director Mary Anne Gill confirms to SunLive a 26-year-old Tauranga man and 29-year-old Australian man both remain in a critical condition in the hospital's intensive care unit today.

The two men were airlifted to Waikato Hospital by the Tauranga-based TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter and Auckland's Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

TECT Rescue Helicopter pilot Liam Brettkelly at the time said both patients were stabilised by St John Ambulance paramedics at the scene, before being driven to Moore Park in Waihi where the rescue helicopter landed.

Waihi Police Sergeant Aaron Fraser says he has very limited details at this stage but understands there were no injuries to the occupants of the vehicle involved.

Both injured men were riding on the motorcycle, but it is not yet known who was driving and who the pillion was prior to the crash.

The Waikato Police Serious Crash are continuing to investigate the crash.

"It goes without saying that motorcyclists and their passengers are vulnerable and have little room for error.

Freda says the accident beggars belief that some make themselves even more vulnerable, by not maintaining their bikes to a safe standard, opting to forgo helmets or throwing other risk factors such as inappropriate speed for the conditions into the mix.

This coming weekend motorcyclists can expect a heightened Police presence on popular motorcycle routes across the Waikato.

"As we gear up for summer and the traffic picks up on popular coastal routes, we want motorcyclists and all other road users to take a moment to remember that the road is a social space involving people.

It's not a solo pursuit - one person's actions behind the wheel or atop a motorcycle directly affects others."

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7 comments

No good roads out of tauranga

Posted on 29-09-2014 11:20 | By jed

About time the government built a tunnel through the kaimais and build a dual carriageway to link up with the waikato expressway. Until then we will continue to have tragedies like this.


Jed

Posted on 29-09-2014 12:44 | By whatsinaname

Why do you say the tunnel will stop tradgedies like this........what a silly statement.


Hey Jed?

Posted on 29-09-2014 13:20 | By SonnyJim

Flash expensive roading does not guarantee safety - collisions boil down to driver sensibility. I somehow doubt suburban Waihi would want road tunnels.


jed

Posted on 29-09-2014 16:21 | By whatsinaname

reading these guys did not have helmets. flash roads are NOT going to make a difference.


Jed

Posted on 30-09-2014 09:22 | By Rate1

Full safety gear (that includes approved helmets) for the motorcyclist and pillion passenger may have lessened the severity of their injuries - tunnels wouldn't have made any difference.


I know

Posted on 30-09-2014 15:33 | By GreertonBoy

What about a tunnel under Waihi? What a dumb thing to say Jed... go to the back of the class, lol. It is a fact that with vehicles of all types on our road must eventually encounter 'hiccups' and perhaps collide... so appropriate safety equipment is the order of the day. Seat belts in cars, helmets and boots on bikes are a good start, attention to other traffic is also good. Glad the bike guys have the chance to learn from their error of judgement, it could very easily be another matter of judgement they might have been facing if they hadn't survived. I hope all goes well for their recovery.... wear helmets next time.... even in Waihi!


Flippa

Posted on 02-10-2014 12:26 | By Flippa

Jed, there are tunnels under Waihi! They are called Gold Mines!


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