Traffic banked up after the fatal crash on SH2 just before the Karangahake Gorge. Photo / David Kerr
Traffic banked up after the fatal crash on SH2 just before the Karangahake Gorge. Photo / David Kerr
Medicine-ball-sized rock found in SH2 passing lane where driver was killed after swerving into path of car.
Afatal crash near the Karangahake Gorge that may have been caused by a fallen boulder was not in an area known for rockfalls.
A man driving a Holden Commodore died yesterday after crossing the centre line on State Highway 2 near the intersection with Rahu Rd and colliding head-on with a car about 10.40am.
Inspector Freda Grace, road policing manager for Waikato District, said it was too early to confirm the cause, but a large rock seemed to have played a part.
"What I can say, however, is that we are looking into what part, if any, a large rock similar in size to a medicine ball found in the eastbound outside passing lane may have played in the crash.
"It appears the man driving the Commodore may not have seen the boulder and struck it, causing his car to career into the path of the Peugeot." The man died at the scene and a female front-seat passenger in the Peugeot suffered serious injuries and was flown to Waikato Hospital.
Part of the crash barrier on the side of the road appeared to be heavily dented and was cordoned off.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waikato/Bay of Plenty regional director Harry Wilson said the stretch of SH2 was not a known rockfall area.
"It appears a rock about 40cm in diameter may have been a contributing factor, however it's not appropriate to speculate at this early stage of the police investigation."
He said NZTA contractors would be inspecting the bank above the road.
The damaged Peugeot. Photo / David Kerr
An NZTA spokeswoman said earlier that the crash happened near Paeroa, before the gorge.
The 2012 Kiwi Road Assessment Programme, the latest published online, rated the stretch of SH2from Paeroa to Katikati as the 25th most-risky stretch of road in the country.
Mrs Grace said the gorge was closed for several hours after the crash, which put a strain on other roads in the region.
"SH2 is a key route through our district linking the Ports of Tauranga and Auckland and is used by high numbers of heavy vehicles.
"Drivers are advised to expect delays and exercise caution and patience while using this alternative route," the inspector said.
This was the third serious crash on the stretch of road in three days.
SH2 was closed through the gorge on Wednesday morning after a car crashed into a paddock about 7.50am. A person was rushed to hospital in a serious condition after the accident.
Another crash closed the highway on Tuesday, when three men travelling to Tauranga were in a car that rolled between Waihi and Paeroa. The men all escaped serious injury.
