UPDATE 9.15pm Motorists planning to travel through Welcome Bay are advised to expect delays due to a serious crash. Police were notified of a single vehicle crash on Welcome Bay Road at around 8pm.
The sole occupant is reported to have serious injuries. Diversions are in place at Kaitemako Road to the west and James Cook Drive to the east.
Emergency services are currently on scene.
"Avoid the area if possible, otherwise follow the directions of emergency services," says a Tauranga Transport Operations spokesperson.
Earlier, 8.51pm There has been a serious vehicle crash in Welcome Bay.
Police report that they were notified of a single vehicle crash on Welcome Bay Road at around 8pm.
"Sole occupant [is] reported to have serious injuries," says a Police spokesperson.
A Welcome Bay resident living in Victory Street says they heard the crash happen from their home.
"Heard two swerve screech sounds, then car rolled at least four times and then a bang," says the Victory Street resident, who also has family living in a house next to where the crash happened..
"Took out a retaining wall. It sounded bad. They said they could hear a man screaming for help."
Ambulance and fire services are at the scene.
Another SunLive reader says the serious crash is on Welcome Bay Road just before James Cook Drive.
Motorists are advised to take another route and to expect delays.
At the scene?
Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz
Damaged wall on Welcome Bay Road. Photo: Supplied.
4 comments
Bring Back ROAD COPS
Posted on 24-07-2022 13:57 | By oceans
Too many people speeding. This accident and the one in Bethlehem might not have been speeding. I don't know. But what I do know is that when driving around Tauranga a good 98 % of drivers are going over the speed limits. Just this morning on 15th Ave at the lights prior to Cameron Road a car went straight through the red light at speed. I keep saying that New Zealand needs to split the police. Road police and general police. AND THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE OF THEM. Many more. BUT it falls on death ears. Perhaps the ones that make the decision also speed. Penalties for speeding need to be MUCH higher and drivers caught with Alcohol or drugs in their systems need to have their licence suspended or cancelled and their car taken from them and destroyed. Innocent people are loosing their lives
Speedsters
Posted on 24-07-2022 17:00 | By Captain Hottie
I thoroughly agree #oceans. I live in Welcome Bay, the speed limit is now 50km/h yet people still barrel along at the old 60km/h limit. Even in this recent terrible weather, with the roads slippery and large puddles, drivers still insist on tailgating. The roadworks at Baypark are also appalling for people not sticking to the speed limit.
I surprises me to say it...but...
Posted on 24-07-2022 19:58 | By groutby
...I rather agree with oceans re. the 're-introduction" of road police...those pesky 'black and whites' got in your face way too many times for my liking, of course this was many years ago and many will remember in the 70's and 80's.....(good or bad) but....they were effective...sadly I don't think they would be effective at all now as society has changed ( for the worse in my opinion) to have no care whatsoever for one another and think if confronted by an argumentative driver ( drugs/alcohol etc) a sworn police officer would be necessary anyway to resolve the situation...they (the MOT or city cops) did however keep the typical motorist thinking about doing the right thing...most of the time :)
@ oceans
Posted on 25-07-2022 08:39 | By Yadick
Totally agree with you. Some Government of the time many moons ago promised all these new Police Officers and when it came to keeping their promise all they did was merge the Police and the Ministry of Transport. Obviously to the detriment of all New Zealand. It was nothing more than lies and twisted promises. We do have Highway Patrol but they cannot possibly be expected to keep up with the massively increasing demand. Their numbers need to increase exponentially nationwide.
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