Two people had to rescued after their vehicle went over a retaining wall at a busy intersection near Kerikeri about 12.45pm yesterday. It is understood the elderly couple were heading south on State Highway 10 and intended to turn left into Waipapa Rd, where a new roundabout is under construction, but instead went straight ahead, through a fence and over a retaining wall at Bay of Islands ITM. The vehicle was teetering precariously over the wall so quick-thinking ITM staff used a forklift to prop up the front while firefighters secured the back with strops, allowing the couple to be helped out safely. They were taken to Bay of Islands Hospital by St John Ambulance as a precaution. The crash caused major delays on SH10.
Minor injuries when van rolls
A man received minor arm injuries and a possible head knock in a crash near Maromaku yesterday. The crash occurred about 1.15pm when a van rolled at the intersection of Matawaia-Maromaku Rd and Taikirau Rd, coming to rest in a paddock. No other vehicles were involved. Police, St John Ambulance and the Kawakawa Fire Brigade responded.
Fire damage closes classrooms
Kerikeri High School is due to reopen to all students on Monday after a fire destroyed a toilet block and damaged three classrooms.
The blaze, which started about 2.20pm on Wednesday, is still being investigated.
All 1500 students stayed home on Thursday on the advice of the Ministry of Education while a thorough damage assessment was carried out. Senior students, in Years 11-13, went back on Friday.
In an email to parents principal Elizabeth Forgie said seniors had come back early because it was close to the end of their school year when every day counted.
The impact was worse than initially expected with three classrooms out of action for some time, significant affecting lesson timetables.
