Man dies after rockfall

A man has died after being struck by rockfall on State Highway 4 near the Raukawa Falls, between Whanganui and the Tongariro National Park.

The man was part of a group of motorists who had stopped to clear a small slip off the road when he was struck. A passing ambulance transporting a patient assisted other motorists to recover the man about 5.45pm. Despite attempts to resuscitate him the man died at the scene.

Police are urging motorists to avoid travel on State Highway 4 between Whanganui and Raetihi if possible, for safety reasons.

NZ Transport Agency said the road between Raetihi and Kakatahi was still closed yesterday morning. A detour via Fields Track is in place but it is not suitable for heavy vehicles. Alternative routes include going through SH49, SH1 and SH3.

A National Park and Taumarunui resident, Sarah, said local people travelling to Whanganui would use the SH4 route but it was always blocked in parts.

‘‘We take great caution. It needs money ... it’s a main highway and highly used yet you would think it was a back road with all the one lane areas.

‘‘Tourists joke.’’

She was not surprised there had been an accident.

‘‘How horrible for them ... doing a good deed and this happens.’’

One side of the road was a steep bank, cut out, and the other was steep down to the river, she said.

Often, the road was one lane as the bank was often slipping on to the road, she said. must think it’s a