Two people have died after a crash on Ulster St, Whitiora, early on Sunday after a speeding car collided with a truck.
Three police officers are being praised for pulling two critically injured people from a fiery wreck after a speeding car crashed into a truck pulling into a Hamilton supermarket and burst into flames.
Two people died at the scene and St John took six people to Waikato Hospital after the terrifying crash on Ulster St this morning.
Two were in critical condition, two were in moderate condition and two had only minor injuries.
Ben Harper was on his way home when he came across the scene of the crash just moments after it happened.
”The car was flying down the road well above the speed limit and crashed into the side of the truck, almost directly into the diesel tank, causing it to catch fire,” he said.
Katarina Robinson told Stuff the crash was the scariest thing she had ever seen.
“I saw police officers pull four people out of the car. One girl and three men”
She said two men who appeared to be in their 20s were taken to hospital. “The other person looked like a 16-year-old boy who had died at the scene and also the girl that looked the age of 17.
“I feel so sad for the young lives that had been taken, and the people that had been injured with critical conditions. I send my condolences and love to their whānau”
As flames burst from the car and licked the side of the truck, officers were frantically pulling people from the wreckage.
Two people died after the crash between a car and a truck in Hamilton early on Sunday morning. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Emergency services responded to the crash around 3.45am.
Fonterra Brands New Zealand managing director Brett Henshaw said one of its franchisees’ delivery trucks was involved in the crash.
“The driver of the delivery vehicle escaped without any serious physical injuries but was obviously shaken.
“We are doing what we can to support him as our No 1 priority is people’s safety and wellbeing.”
Police confirmed they were not following or pursuing the vehicle before the crash. A unit was already on patrol in the vicinity at the time and was able to respond instantly.
Police also said the three officers who dragged the two occupants from the car were at home being treated for smoke inhalation.
A witness told the Herald that the car, a silver Subaru, crashed into the delivery truck, which was turning into Pak’nSave in Mill St.
The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit attended the scene and police continued to investigate the full circumstances. The road reopened later.
They said detectives, Fire and Emergency New Zealand investigators and an undertaker were at the scene.
Caitlan Johnston is a breaking news reporter based in Waikato. She joined the Herald in 2022.
