The scene of the horror crash. Image / Supplied
Two motorists awarded for their courageous efforts at the scene of a horror triple-fatal crash are pleading with Kiwis to be careful on the roads over the festive season.
Leauga Jerry Leauga, 37, and Ta’avao Kelemete, 32, and their uncle Fa’aofo Uili Fa’aofo, 45 died in the crash on State Highway 1 at Ramarama on August 26.
The men were seasonal workers from Samoa.
Three of their colleagues were seriously injured in the crash.
Glen Wymer and Andrew Andrews were among the first on the scene and were later nominated for the prestigious New Zealand Road Safety, Emergency Response and Healthcare Awards for their responses.
The awards — governed by the National Road Trauma Centre — are designed specifically for industry professionals in emergency services, hospital care, post-hospital care, road safety and those in the community “who are contributing to improved road trauma outcomes who may otherwise not be acknowledged”.
In a statement, the NRTC said the swift actions of Wymer and Andrews in the face of tragedy “underscore the vital role that bystanders can play in emergency situations”.
The crash happened during peak travel time, when a truck travelling northbound had a tyre blow out that pulled the vehicle through the wire barrier between lanes and into oncoming traffic.
The truck collided with multiple vehicles leaving what the NRTC described as “a path of destruction”.
The first car struck had two occupants who were injured and required medical help.
A second vehicle was “clipped” but the occupants were not injured.
The van carrying the Samoan workers was then struck. Passengers Leauga and Kelemete and the driver Fa’aofo died on impact.
Wymer came across the scene soon after.
“Upon grasping the severity of the crash he stopped to assist the people involved without hesitation,” an NCRT spokesperson said.
“He grabbed a claw and sledgehammer from the back of his vehicle and ran over to the van. There was another bystander using a small pry bar to try to open the sliding door of the van as it was stuck shut due to the damage. Wymer used his hammer to take pressure off the door and this enabled another bystander to unlatch it.
“Wymer’s quick thinking and actions contributed to the extrication of injured parties and them being able to get out of the van.”
Wymer then went and checked on many of the other injured parties from all of the vehicles involved and when emergency services arrived he helped to load people onto stretchers and into ambulances.
“Wymer provided first aid and reassurance to parties involved. His actions and quick thinking to use his own tools led to the door being opened and victims extracted prior to emergency services' arrival. This would have provided great relief to the injured, distressed parties.”
Andrews witnessed the crash and the spokesperson said he “narrowly avoided being hit”.
“He stopped immediately and got out of his vehicle and headed… to render assistance. He worked with others and assisted in removing the injured occupants from the vehicle which would have provided relief and reassurance to them in this traumatic event,” said the spokesperson.
“He stayed with one of the injured parties for some time trying to calm him and help as he was in shock. Andrews later assisted with loading injured parties onto stretchers and into ambulances. He also showed compassion by checking on the driver of the truck involved.”
Wymer and Andrews were runners-up at the awards.
“I feel quite humbled that I was nominated,” Andrews said.
“I had no idea about it and did not do what I did for an award and it is nice to be recognised for helping others. This accident was very tragic for everyone involved.”
Andrews had a “simple” message leading up to the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
“Life is very precious and can disappear in the blink of an eye,” he said.
“Be vigilant and observant on the road, keep a good following distance and be safe. Always be wary of big trucks.
“If you come across a road crash, please stop and assist where you can, you could be saving someone’s loved one.”
The brave pair were nominated by Detective William O’Connell of the police Serious Crash Unit.
He wanted to express his gratitude for the collective efforts of the men.
“This was a major incident with a lot of people involved — multiple fatalities and members of the public injured and that required medical aid,” he said.
“There was significant damage to vehicles and the motorway. It would have been horrific for the people who saw what happened or came across the aftermath.
“Wymer and Andrews should really be commended for going out of their way to assist when many others would have continued driving and carried on with their days.”
O’Connell said there were others who stopped to help but it had not been possible to track them down.
He said those injured and the families of the victims — as well as the Samoan community — “want to pass on their appreciation for the reassurance and aid that members of the public provided them at their time of need”.
“Almost everyone who stopped should be thanked.”
After the crash police slammed people who shared “disgusting” livestreams of the scene on social media.
“I saw some of the footage. It was filmed before emergency services arrived, there were close-ups of people deceased in the van and injured lying on the road,” Counties Manukau road policing manager Inspector Tony Wakelin said.
“I thought it was horrible, as did a lot of my colleagues. That’s not acceptable.”
The NRCT said after the awards nominations closed a third person was identified for their heroic efforts at the scene.
Chris MacKenzie and his partner Nic were heading south when he saw the truck “suddenly swerving to the right, veering across the fast lane into the grass centre strip”.
“This is going to be a big hit,” MacKenzie said at the time.
“It was like a bomb went off, a huge explosion of dust and metal.” he later described.
The couple stopped immediately and rendered assistance to two woman whose vehicle was struck, they were trapped and were in shock.
Nic stayed with the women to help them remain calm while MacKenzie went 100 metres or so north towards a white van, which had significant damage.
“I went round to the front passenger, and I couldn’t get the door open. It was damaged and jammed shut,” he said.
He went to the truck at the centre of the crash and found a steel bar behind the cab in a toolbox and used it to pry open the van passenger door to free the man.
He then forced the sliding door open, which allowed him to free other passengers and assist with first aid.
A fourth woman also helped at the scene. She had a medical background and “took charge” but has not yet who has not been identified.
NRTC founder Sarah Dean — who has personal experience with crashes — emphasised the “enduring impact” that individuals such as Wymer and Andrews have on those involved.
“You never forget what they did,” she said.
“As we approach the festive season, it is essential for all road users to remain aware and cautious.
“The tragic events on State Highway 1 are a powerful reminder, urging everyone to prioritise safety and responsible driving.
“The lives of many can be irrevocably changed in an instant, and it is a shared responsibility to ensure safer roads for all.
“The Christmas period is traditionally one of increased travel, and this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance on our roads.
“As we honour the quick thinking and selfless bravery of those involved during this tragic event, let us also commit ourselves to making responsible choices while driving.
“Together, we can work towards a safer holiday season — because no one wants to be part of a road crash, especially during this time of year.”
Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz
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It's understood the crash involves a motorcycle and car.