Man admits causing crash that killed tourist

A Canadian tourist was killed in a three-car crash after someone in a different car failed to see her vehicle, despite stopping at a rural intersection.

Eileen Margaret Ferguson, 75, died as a result of the crash caused by Henry Jackson Graham near Palmerston North on January 15.

He pleaded guilty in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday to careless driving causing death.

Graham, a 50-year-old food industry worker from Feilding, was driving a BMW east along Kairanga-bunnythorpe Rd, while Ferguson was a passenger in a Suzuki being driven south on Milson Line.

The tourist had been visiting family.

Another motorist was also on Kairanga-bunnythorpe Rd, driving in the opposite direction to Graham.

Graham stopped for a moment at the intersection of the two rural roads, before driving out in front of the car Ferguson was in.

The cars collided, and the car Ferguson was in also hit the vehicle going in the opposite direction to Graham.

Ferguson had to be cut from the car by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

She and the driver of her car were taken to Palmerston North Hospital.

Bruises were the driver’s worst injuries, but Ferguson suffered fractured ribs, multiple cuts and three perforations to her bowel.

She died a day after the crash.

Graham had only minor cuts to his forehead.

He admitted fault immediately to police, saying: ‘‘I know it was my fault. I did not see her at all. I should have been more careful when crossing the intersection.’’

Judge Jim Large convicted Graham and remanded him until next month for sentencing.