UPDATE 8.06pm: Police say a slight lapse in judgement at an intersection has had serious consequences, following a major smash in the Lower Kaimai today.
Traffic is now reported to be flowing in both directions.
"This afternoon at approximately 3.15 pm a serious crash occurred at the intersection of State Highway 29 and McLaren Falls Road, Kaimai, Tauranga," says Senior Sergeant Eddie Lyttle.
It appears that a Nissan vehicle with four occupants pulled out of the intersection from McLaren Falls Road turning onto State Highway 29 towards Tauranga and a Toyota utility vehicle travelling south up the Kaimais collided into them.
"The driver of the Nissan sustained serious injuries and was transported to Waikato hospital and is reported to be in a serious condition in Intensive Care. The three passengers were transported to Tauranga hospital and are currently being treated for moderate injuries.
"Thankfully the driver of the Toyota suffered only minor injuries and walked away relatively unscathed."
Amongst the following traffic was an Emergency Department Doctor who was on the scene very soon after the crash and assisted with dealing with the injured. Members of the public also assisted with traffic control which was greatly appreciated by attending Police.
Traffic on the Kaimai Range was delayed significantly while the road was closed to allow medical support and the rescue helicopter to take the seriously injured driver away.
The Northbound lane was cleared approximately an hour later with two way lanes for traffic opened a half hour later.
Senior Sergeant Eddie Lyttle says "a slight lapse in judgement at intersection has serious consequences. For the sake of a second longer to check that the intersection is clear to pull out is critical".
Update: 5:33PM A woman has been flown to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition and two others are seriously injured following a crash on the Lower Kaimai. A fourth woman has moderate injuries.
Emergency services were called to the scene at the intersection of McLaren Falls Rd and State Highway 29 about 3.30pm.
St John territory manager Ross Clarke says four women, believed to be in their 20s, have been injured in the crash.
Ross says St John Ambulance has transferred three patients to Tauranga Hospital, two are seriously injured and one has moderate injuries.
He says one patient is being flown to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition.
A Tauranga Police senior sergeant at the scene says a vehicle carrying four occupants pulled out of McLaren Falls Rd onto SH29 and collided with a vehicle travelling south.
He says the result of the crash is the four occupants of the vehicle that pulled out onto SH29 have been injured.
'The driver of the south bound vehicle has sustained no injuries.”
Police are investigating the crash.
A caller to 0800 SUNLIVE says traffic is backed up to Kaimai School.
Earlier report:
Traffic is being diverted around a serious crash which has closed an area of the Lower Kaimai.
Northern Fire Communications shift manager Steve Smith confirms there has been a crash involving two vehicles. He says Tauranga and Greerton fire brigades are attending.
A reporter at the scene says a black car and what appears to be a white 4WD have significant damage.
"The roof of the black car has been cut off."
He says at least seven police cars are at the scene.
Westbound traffic travelling to Matamata, Hamilton or Waikato are advised to follow State Highway 36 South (towards Rotorua) from Tauranga for 48km to SH5. Turn right and follow signs to Matamata or Hamilton.
Tauranga bound traffic is being diverted from SH29, west side of the Kaimai Range. Use SH28/Rapurapu Rd. After 16km turn left to SH5, after 36km follow signs to Tauranga via SH36. Auckland traffic are advised to use SH2 via Katikati, Waihi and Paeroa.
12 comments
Resident
Posted on 01-03-2015 17:58 | By Kaimai resident
As a resident of McLaren Falls Road I myself have found it hard to see past /around the roadwork bollards. We wish the injured all the best and a speedy recovery.
NZTA ... wakey wakey!
Posted on 01-03-2015 19:27 | By Murray.Guy
There are a number of disaster areas waiting on the NZTA to prioritise their works program to saving lives, protecting the innocent. The NZTA is spending $8-10million on a new toll plaza at Route K to collect $63m, a couple of roundabouts to save lives would be great. McLarens Falls, Tauriko!
Thinking of others....
Posted on 02-03-2015 04:59 | By Jimmy Ehu
great to see the intellectual people in hi-viz vests thought of the road users when placing their bollards/barriers on the side of this intersection, while I hope the injured recover quickly, this serious accident with a little thought and planning, did not need to happen!!!!.
Rumble Strips
Posted on 02-03-2015 09:30 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
on these dangerous side roads as a reminder would be useful. One danger is if they get over-used and become commonplace we become accustomed to them.
ROUNDABOUTS !
Posted on 02-03-2015 12:03 | By The Caveman
Sorry, Murray, but that's toooo simple. Tauriko should have had aroundabout 10 years ago and should have also incorporated an access to the industrial area of the Lakes development. Likewise McLarens Falls, and they don't have to be these $4-5 million gold plated ones that are cropping up in places where they are NOT needed.
Bad Judgment
Posted on 02-03-2015 12:40 | By Luos
barriers are still there and there is plenty of visibility ?
Drivers need to
Posted on 02-03-2015 12:57 | By Berry White
I don't know how the government/ NZTA/ council or anyone else is supposed to save lives when people don't pay attention on the roads. Someone is seriously hurt but it is overly simple to say that cash will fix driver inattention. There is a stop sign at this intersection and that is what people need to do - STOP and wait until they have a clear view before they try and pull out. I wish those involved a speedy recovery.
I
Posted on 02-03-2015 12:58 | By Capt_Kaveman
Must agree the barriers are to high just like many roundabouts which should be flat and short signs as these hinder viewing angles
Intersection visibility
Posted on 02-03-2015 18:59 | By K72
With regard to the comments re stopping and waiting until it's clear. I use that junction several times a day, in a ute or seething higher I can see, in my little car I cant. I don't think posters appreciate the barrier is solid plastic so without X-ray vision, the only way to see is to creep forward to see around them. 3 lanes of 100 km traffic with a bend in one direction and the brow of a hill in the other. Also, hard shoulder is blocked with cones so cars have to slow to 2nd gear to turn left with often speeding traffic behind. Have the same issues when trucks stop there or people park to read maps.
Bad Blockades
Posted on 03-03-2015 08:03 | By Ruff
Here here K72. Notice barriers on both sides have been moved closer to the road verge since!
regular user
Posted on 03-03-2015 12:49 | By chilli11161
Why dont they make the road a different layout there, its wide enough to do something...You cant see in a normal car whats coming...something needs to be done for sure ..
Always someone else's fault
Posted on 04-03-2015 18:25 | By muddy
No it must of been the tourist because kiwis are just outstanding drivers aren't they!
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