Suspected alcohol and not wearing seat belts contributed to a devastating crash in Kawakawa that left two people critically injured. A Toyota Landcruiser carrying four men and a woman in their late teens and early 20s lost control on the gravel surface of McIntyre Rd before it went down a steep bank and crashed into a tree around midnight on Wednesday. Fire crews from Kawakawa and Paihia had to winch the ute out with the front seat male passenger still trapped. They then spent 40 minutes cutting him free. The man and a female passenger were airlifted separately to hospitals in Whangārei and Auckland with critical injuries. Three other people inside the ute escaped the crash with minor injuries that did not require medical treatment. Crash analyst Jeff Cramp, of the police Serious Crash Unit, said none of the occupants were wearing a seat belt and the investigation had indicated alcohol as a factor but results were still pending. "It's a tragedy that could've been prevented. Don't drink and drive, and always wear your seat belt," he said.
Northpower Trust AGM
The Northpower Trust AGM is being held at Sportsville Dargaville at 1pm on July 28 and Kaipara and Whangārei Districts who are connected to the Northpower electricity network are encouraged to attend. It will be preceded by lunch at 12.15, giving Northpower electricity and fibre customers a chance to chat to Northpower Trustees and staff.
Sportsville Dargaville is located at Memorial Park on Logan St. For more information contact Julie on 09 438 3322 or julie@plusca.co.nz
Cattle killed on road
Two yearling cattle died after they were hit by vehicles on State Highway 10 near Kāeo just after 7am on Tuesday. Acting Kāeo chief fire officer Jo Sweet-Bennett said a Mainfreight truck hit one and a car struck the other. Both animals were injured and had to be put down. The drivers were unhurt, but damage to the car was extensive. It was not immediately clear where the animals had come from.
