Police have confirmed the three people who died in a fatal crash at Te Puna are all women from the same extended family in Auckland.
Diversions were put in place around the scene of the crash.
Emergency services were called to the fatal crash involving a car and a mini-van on State Highway 2 just after 7.30pm on Saturday.
Tauranga Police Senior Sergeant Chris Summerville says two people were inside the car and nine people were in the mini-van when the crash occurred on a passing lane between Whakamarama and Te Puna. Three Auckland women, aged 71, 45 and 32, who were inside the van died at the scene.
'A large fire engulfed both vehicles and a tree on the roadside shortly after the crash,” says Senior Sergeant Chris.
Occupants from both cars were treated for a range of moderate to serious injuries at Tauranga Hospital.
Bay of Plenty District Health Board communications manager Diana Marriott says a 15-year-old Auckland girl, 41-year-old Gisborne man, 20-year-old Auckland woman, 57-year-old Auckland woman, 29-year-old Auckland man and a two-year-old Auckland girl have all been discharged from hospital.
'A 20-year-old Te Puna woman remains in hospital in a stable condition.”
Serious Crash investigators have conducted an initial scene examination and enquiries are continuing to establish further details as to the exact cause of the incident.
The road way has now been reopened to traffic.
Police would like to speak with any witnesses to this crash who have not yet been spoken to by police and ask them to contact Tauranga Police on (07) 5774300.
25 comments
Crazy numbers
Posted on 10-05-2015 09:15 | By maildrop
8 lives lost in one day on NZ roads. That would be like 160 deaths in one day in the UK. That would provoke a national enquiry. Kiwis keep blaming tourists and terrain. Heads in the sand.
Te Puna fatalities
Posted on 10-05-2015 09:24 | By Margot Rose
Another tragic accident on this stretch of busy road. When are the authorities going to pull their heads out of the sand and acknowledge 1 passing lane between Bethlehem and Omokoroa is not enough. If you are stuck behind slow drivers who do not/will not pull over you can be stuck for miles. Often doing 60km or less if you strike an orchard tractor. When an opportunity arises where you can overtake, everybody wants to. And 1 passing lane is just not enough. Police should be pulling up the slow and dangerous drivers who are inconsiderate and stop focusing on a 4 km tolerance. Common NZTA fix the pot holes and ruts in the road and reinstate some more passing lanes. Start saving some lives.
Agree
Posted on 10-05-2015 10:15 | By hapukafin
I agree with you Margot,its not only between Bethlehem and Omokoroa,its all the way to the Bombay.There use to be more passing lanes but in there wisdom they have taken some out to frustrate drivers.NZTA want to promote a bit of road rage to collect more funds.
Horrific
Posted on 10-05-2015 12:09 | By mooloo
My poor parents were the first on the scene of this horrific accident, they are both feeling so much guilt that they couldn't get the other 3 people out of the van before it exploded, but I've told them to be proud of what they did do and that they could of been in the van when it exploded! To me they and my hero's. This is something that will haunt them forever.
Rastus
Posted on 10-05-2015 12:48 | By rastus
Humans tend to learn from experiences - unfortunately we generally only get a report as above telling of the accident and by the time we find out who/what and why, we have mostly forgotten about the incident - something needs to be done to bring the facts to us ASAP so that we can all be aware of why such things happen. The inferrence from other correspondents is that this kind of thing is caused presumably by frustration with the lack of safe passing lanes, however this accident was on a passing lane. Some logical information as to the accident's cause should be forthcoming as soon as is possible - Perhaps the 'Sunlive' could set up a follow up column for such events.
And so the carnage continues
Posted on 10-05-2015 13:16 | By audidoou
Yet more destruction on NZ roads. Although we don't know the full circumstances surrounding this latest tragic event it is yet another timely reminder to all those other road users of how bad the driving really is in this Country. Kiwi's just don't get it, the Government doesn't get it but I'm sure the frontline Police and other emergency services do. Driver skills and behaviour are frankly alarming, right throughout the age range. Nothing will change until the level of driver testing is raised. NZ has taken a soft approach on driver licencing in this Country which is frankly a joke. Don't keep blaming the roads, they don't kill it's the driver. What possible motivation is there to raise the standard of testing when a driver licence testing officer is paid a mere 40K pa to put up with all the abuse from the public. Get real kiwi drivers
Jill
Posted on 10-05-2015 14:19 | By jill
As I said in the other post out this accident!! Drive to the conditions!!drive to the specified speed!!!. Why hurry leave home earlier!! Simple!!! Think!!! Your Family and Friends Want you to stay on this side of the ground. Only people who Race a Passing lane Speed!!! More Passing lanes more accidents!!!
Jill
Posted on 10-05-2015 14:31 | By jill
All of you above!! Try reading Angel74's comment and Devils Advocate on the other post to this horror story Its Not The Roads fault!!! ITS YOUR DRIVING THATS AT FAULT!! EVEN TRY COCENTRATING ON DRIVING!!! BE A MIND READER!!!! OR STAY OFF OUR ROADS!!!! FULL STOP!!!!
The day must surely come
Posted on 10-05-2015 17:04 | By How about this view!
When we examine the ridiculous notion that parents are capable of teaching their own family members to drive. It must be time to accept that access to our roads is a PRIVILEGE and NOT A RIGHT and we need to place mandatory requirements on driver training and standards. Although I am unashamedly pro user-pays, if it would reduce these sorts of calamities I would happily accept the introduction of a government funded driving course that must be completed and passed in conjunction with the driving test AND further more, if you are caught contravening the road code, you are then required to re-sit the course at your own expense. Time and again if necessary to get the point across, as financial penalties and demerit points obviously don't work. Don't turn up or flout the law? PRISON!
And absolute tragedy
Posted on 10-05-2015 18:49 | By nerak
and perhaps now is not the time to vent.
Margot Rose has the idea
Posted on 10-05-2015 18:54 | By Towball
We went over to Hamilton for Mothers day and upon our return through Cambridge were nearly T-boned by an elderly chap in his camper van after he failed to give way at the intersection. As if that wasn't enough we had a car travelling back to Te Poi doing 70ks max then slowing for all on coming cars. After that we had another car that did the same coming down the Kaimai's. Tragic drivers ticket them and make resit their licence.
OMG !!!!
Posted on 10-05-2015 19:22 | By MichaelAngelo
Just realised that my son and I drove toward town seconds before this accident occurred and were lucky not to be killed. I think that brings the road toll to 10 within one kilometre of our house in the last year. This is the second time we have been almost involved in one of those fatal accidents. Yes people do silly things but the carnage will only stop when the road is upgraded to a standard required for that amount of traffic. There was a time when we did not think we needed seat belts, safety standards for cars, or median barriers but the horrifying thing is roads have a certain crash rate almost regardless of how careful people are.
We don't
Posted on 10-05-2015 21:06 | By joe p
learn, do we. Whilst traveling to Hamilton last week I was passed by a driver who then proceeded to cut me off because he had run-out of room at the end of the passing lane. Why he had to pass was beyond me as all the traffic was cruising at 100km/hr, plus we were approaching the 80km zone for the road works south of Cambridge. When he cut in I tooted my horn & received the two finger salute, I say we need to change our ATTITUDE on the roads, too many drivers pass at excessive speed then brake hard to pull-in often cutting in front with little space to spare, no wonder we have accidents, WAKE-UP idiots the road is not a race track !!!!
Drivers
Posted on 11-05-2015 08:21 | By belladonna
My heartfelt to all those concerned in this trgic accident. This stretch of roading is notorious for fatalities. There is nothing wrong with the road Wairoa Bridge to Katikati, it's driver error all the time. Speed is a contributing factor on this piece of roading. The users on this road (me included) put our lives at risk daily through impatient drivers, speed, passing where your not suppose too epecially on the double yellow lines. Please just lower your speed people.
Feruno
Posted on 11-05-2015 08:47 | By Feruno
Road marking in NZ is as bad as the pathetic, stupid driving habits of the average road user . Don't blame Tourists and SPEED . European drivers travel at TWICE the speed we do in NZ , and there are minimal accidents on their motorways . I have driven in 47 countries , including Europe, so when I say Kiwis are of the worst I have experienced, and that includes road marking decisions, I have to agree with the statements of others here . Its not only the driver testing officer, its the people who teach the new driver to drive dangerously . I would like to challenge any authority to a debate on NZ Driving and road marking madness . The CULTURE/MINDSET/HABITS have to be CHANGED . The new driver only repeats what they witness/observe. Change those stupid signs on the side of the road to useful ones.
Remember the Families
Posted on 11-05-2015 09:08 | By Rate1
We should not comment on the why's and wherefores about this terrible accident tragedy but give condolences to the families involved and the heartbreak they are going through.
Revenue gathering
Posted on 11-05-2015 09:13 | By Feruno
If the Police would concentrate on apprehending the real dangers on our roads , and stop trying to lower the speed limits to increase their revenue, our roads will be a lot safer
Selfishness
Posted on 11-05-2015 09:50 | By rosscoo
in all above comments people think they know it all. I like many have driven this stretch of road many times over the years, yes you have idiots that want t pass in silly places but it all because they think it more important they get there first. people need to be more patient and considerate to others then would have so many fatal accidents.
.
Posted on 11-05-2015 09:51 | By maccachic
Cops need to nip bad driver behaviour in the bud before they get a chance to kill others just driving around town on any day and you see loads of people who need to go and redo their driver training again. Maybe ping everyone with corrective education that needs it asap and we may have better stats on our roads.
Jill
Posted on 11-05-2015 10:07 | By Tga local
If you are travelling at 80kph (the speed limit on this road) and a car pulls out directly in front of you, it will always end badly. The road used to be 100kph limit, and there were less accidents. The road is not a bad road, but the volume of traffic has increased, and so has the poor driving skills of a lot of drivers. Sadly, this is a tragedy that could have been avoided and my condolences to all concerned.
Tragic event
Posted on 11-05-2015 10:17 | By KenA
I am a bit late in getting to comment but am in total agreement with Margot. How many of these accidents are related to the frustration with slow inconsiderate oblivious drivers on roads nowadays. You will no doubt never see the Police reporting on this aspect of accidents. The speed limit on this road was 100kph and reduced to 90kph and the overtaking lane removed just outside of Bethlehem. Has this reduced accidents? My simplistic view is stick to the speed limit and not 10/30kph less, more time on the road means more chance of accidents. Having driven this road at 90/95 with a wagon train of others doing the same it is a joy, adequate spacing between cars(not nose to tail)no frustration and no attempt to get passed that infernal slow driver ahead. Slowmokoroa drivers take note. So, so sad with those fatalities.
Rosscoo
Posted on 11-05-2015 13:38 | By maildrop
Who made you the comment Police? You call others selfish for making valid points, accusing them of knowing it all, then you go on to share your own theories on what causes accidents!
close shave
Posted on 11-05-2015 16:29 | By hapukafin
I was returning to Tauranga this arvo ,a white s/w pulled out of the road on the west side of Wairoa river facing west and then u turned in front of me to come to Tauranga,it was so close Im glad i have good brakes.He know who he is.
Feruno.....
Posted on 18-05-2015 18:49 | By groutby
You are so right with your comments in both posts, and so sad that we drivers cannot see this as it is blatantly obvious to overseas "trained" drivers. I also find it concerning that we do not have access to the "real" information in regard to"accidents" and why they happen, there is no published information available from the Traffic Department apart from what they want us to know...which would make me think without this we cannot and will not see the reality behind such events, and try to find a way to correct the abysmal behaviour and attitude on our roads. As far as correcting the attitude, well I can only personally and sadly see it getting worse until something miraculous happens and we start caring about each other..truly tho speed/alcohol are certainly part of the issue, but not as much of an issue as we are unreliably informe
HIghway Patrol
Posted on 21-05-2015 07:54 | By Kenworthlogger
not sure why New Zealand cars have indicators fitted as nobody uses them. HIghway patrol should be tasked with the job of looking out for poor driving and concentrate on these drivers. If you are being inconsiderate and drive well below the speed limit and hold people up they should be targeted. Nothing worse than sitting behind some noddy doing 80 in the 100 zone and then trying to pull onto the wrong side of the road and overtake with a 90 speed limited truck.....
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