UPDATED: A 24 year old man from Kerikeri died when a 4x4 rolled on Papamoa Beach last night.
Four other people in the vehicle were uninjured in the crash, which happened near Harrison's Cut just before 8pm.
The scene last night. Picture: supplied.
Driver behaviour, alcohol, and failure to wear a seat belt are believed to be factors in this crash, says Western Bay of Plenty police area commander, Inspector Clifford Paxton today.
"Police urge care during this festive period. Before you consume alcohol make sure you have a plan on how you are going to get to your destination and home again safely," says Clifford.
Tauranga Fire Service senior station officer Phil Price says they provided lighting for the scene examination and later removed the vehicle's roof so the body could be removed.
A witness who doesn't want to be named says he saw a group of young guys and a girl drinking and sitting on the beach.
"I remember then thinking, 'how did they get the car there?," he says.
"When we were walking past about 10 minutes later as we neared the carpark we heard a crunch and turned to see the vehicle on its side."
The young people were driving down the beach back towards the ramp that leads onto the beach. The vehicle rolled one and a half times, landing on its side.
The driver who was not wearing a seatbelt, was partially ejected from the vehicle and crushed as it rolled, and was pinned partly under the vehicle, says the witness.
Members of the public tried to right the 4WD but it was too heavy, and it was obvious the man was dead.
9 comments
1st
Posted on 02-01-2015 00:54 | By Capt_Kaveman
Glass fire pit on the beach now vehicles, which are not allowed down here unless they are launching a boat, as before where are our council rangers officers? out on holiday living it up on ratepayers money, the time we need them and they not around, if its not the driver thats deceased then i think a large fine to go with it
Only took time
Posted on 02-01-2015 09:09 | By Green globe
A lot of vehicles doing this on the beach was only a matter of time
Tragic for all
Posted on 02-01-2015 13:35 | By penguin
This is a tragic event for all concerned. But it was avoidable. As an earlier report notes, the driver was undertaking 'drifting' actions. Basic physics tells us that attempting this in a high centre of gravity vehicle with the added element of friction of heavy, hard tyres (unlike doing this on a smooth, hard surface such as a roadway), has a high potential to result in some form of crash. Add to this, the driver not wearing a seat belt and the result is what we see.
tradgety
Posted on 02-01-2015 13:54 | By ratepayer
isn't it ironic that the council targets the local fishermen on their quads with fees ,regulations .licensing yet a tradgety like this hasn't struck them ,maybe your targeting the wrong group of beach users
Jill
Posted on 02-01-2015 14:31 | By jill
And What were they doing on the beach? I feel so sorry for the family's involved that have lost a loved one. But... this to me was a waiting ...................
Stupid Stupid Stupid
Posted on 02-01-2015 19:56 | By carpedeum
Hey- even the oldest of us have all been young and stupid - but seatbelt wearing is BASIC.
bryrose
Posted on 03-01-2015 11:31 | By bryrose
Why are people allowed to drive and destroy what were once beautiful beaches. What about all the small crabs etc who live (or used to live)there, no one seems to care anymore
Ban quads
Posted on 03-01-2015 23:01 | By News 1
All u guys make me sick, a person has died and all you are worried about is the crabs and what he was doing on the beach. Trucks pay rego and warrants which is more than your stupid quad bikes. You guys are more of a hazard bombing up and down and lettin kids ride them down there. And in the dunes wrecking them. My condolences go out to the family for your loss.
@News 1
Posted on 04-01-2015 15:00 | By penguin
One thing that is clear from your comments (some of which are not relevant) is that you have conveniently overlooked the prime cause of this crash. Comments from the police and those of a witness, paint a picture of the inevitable. Yes, it is a tragic situation but who was responsible for the choice about driving?
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.