1 road 6 months 7 dead

Fatal crashes have been a consistent part of Murray King’s life.

For more than 60 years he has lived at Te Pohue, 42 kilometres northwest of Napier, and during that time has helped with about 20 crashes – including fatalities. ‘‘I think we’ve had four to five deaths outside our place over the years. I’ve comforted survivors, done traffic control, called the ambulance and more,’’ King said.

He didn’t witness the latest crash last Saturday, but one crash remained so vivid in his mind, he wasn’t able to reveal details to Stuff.

‘‘I think the crashes are mingled with both environment and driver behaviour,’’ King said. ‘‘The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) actually moved our woolshed and straightened the road there because we were getting at least one car a month going through our fence.’’

Antony Alexander has driven a truck or bus along the 123-kilometre Napier-Taupo¯ Road (State Highway 5) daily for the past six years. Having seen his share of serious crashes, and rushed to crumpled cars containing dead or dying motorists, he has strong views on the subject.

‘‘I don’t think about blame . . . But I do think about what could prevent future tragedies. For the last year or so I’ve spent time talking to NZTA, roading contractors and other professional drivers in regard to the state of the road. In places it is absolute garbage . . . worn away to a slippery bare surface which gives absolutely no grip.

‘‘The road will cost money, or it will cost lives. It needs median barriers in some places, widening in others and straightening.’’

NZTA regional transport systems manager Oliver Postings said it had made significant investment in the region’s state highway network, including the $36 million safety improvement programme for SH2 and more than $20m for other safety improvements throughout Hawke’s Bay, which included work on SH5.

‘‘While there are no current plans for capital works on SH5, we continue to explore possible options to improve

the highway,’’ Postings said. As well as barriers and rumble strips, ‘‘we have a comprehensive maintenance and resealing programme for SH5, which will be ramping up over the next six years’’.

NZTA was also working with local councils on a Hawke’s Bay transport study to identify issues and develop a works programme for the region.

Taupo¯ mayor David Trewavas said the Taupo¯ side of the road comprised long, straight stretches, unlike the Hawke’s Bay side, and was not of high concern compared with other highways in the district.

St John Ambulance Hawke’s Bay territory manager Brendon Hutchinson has been tending to victims of crashes on the road for 18 years and estimated he would make at least 20 trips a year to serious crashes on SH5. ‘‘It is a road that needs your full attention.’’

Two crashes stuck in his mind. One was in January 2014, when a van load of people went over a steep bank and miraculously no-one was killed. The other was a double fatality last year involving a couple on a motorbike. ‘‘It’s our job but I can tell you that these things definitely do affect us,’’ he said.

Hawke’s Bay road policing manager Matt Broderick said SH5 had always been a challenging road.

‘‘It has its twists and turns, inclines and declines, like most roads that go over mountainous regions,’’ Broderick said.