Media release #41 Wanganui District weather event - 11.30am 6 July 2015

Published on 06 July 2015

Emergency services are concerned that motorists are putting their staff in danger because they are driving on unsafe rural roads.

On Monday morning a car travelling on Kaiwhaiki Road skidded, travelled a long way and collided head-on with a tractor travelling in the opposite direction.

The Fire Service sent crews to assist and a fire appliance slipped off the road, sustaining minor damage. The fire appliance was able to get back on to the road and the Fire Service personnel extracted two people from the car.

Area Commander Bernie Rush is concerned that motorists are putting his staff, and other emergency services and roading crews, in danger.

“It appears that the car was travelling too fast for the conditions which are extremely slippery and dangerous,” Mr Rush said.

“People must be aware that many of our rural roads are extremely marginal and they are suitable only for emergency services and absolutely essential travel by locals with 4WD. This accident highlights the danger of travelling in unsuitable vehicles on roads that are barely passable.

“We want everyone to keep safe, including the people working on the roads and the emergency services, so we urge people to keep off the rural roads and do not go sightseeing.”