Police
have named the two victims who died in a head on crash on State Highway One near
Paraparaumu on Friday.They were
Stephanie Anne Fox, 18, and Lance Kevin Rielly, 39, of Titahi Bay.
Police would not
release details of the other persons involved in this crash.
The investigation
into the cause of the crash was ongoing.Police described a
chaotic scene, after a car smashed head-on into vehicle carrying a family that
was coming the other way.
The deaths take
the holiday road toll to 15.
The crash happened
about 2.45pm near the intersection of Otaihanga Road and State Highway 1, just
north of Paraparaumu.
Five people,
including three children, were injured in the crash.The children were
taken to Wellington Hospital by ambulance.
Wellington
district road policing manager Inspector Peter Baird described the accident
scene as "chaotic", with so many people, including children, involved.
It appeared the
car heading south had used a passing lane at speed, before losing control on a
bend.It had crossed the
centre line and smashed into a north-bound car, which was carrying a family. Both the deceased
were from the south-bound car, Baird said.The accident,
which happened on a wet road, showed the need to drive to the conditions, he
said.Both lanes of
State Highway 1 were blocked for several hours while the Serious Crash Unit
investigated.
The stretch of
State Highway 1 near the Otaihanga intersection is a notorious black spot.It was the scene
of two serious crashes, including a fatality, in a two week stretch over
September and October.Kelly Thompson,
17, was killed at a corner just north of the Otaihanga intersection on September
30.The NZ Transport
Agency this year announced plans for a $14 million wire rope barrier and
roundabout at the intersection.
- ©
Fairfax NZ News
