Safety barriers to be installed after fatal Sumner crash

Police recover Bruce Imrie's vehicle after it plunged into the sea near Shag Rock in March, killing his wife, Maureen. Photo / Andrew King

By Sarla Donovan

New safety barriers will be put up on Main Rd after two serious crashes within a year - one which claimed a life.

But they won't be completed until February next year.

In March, Mt Pleasant resident Maureen Imrie, 73, died when the vehicle her husband was driving slammed through a rickety wooden barrier near Shag Rock and plunged into the sea.

Witnesses were able to pull Bruce Imrie, 77, out of the vehicle, but it was swept away by an undertow before they were able to rescue Mrs Imrie.

The accident came a year to the day after repeat drink-driver Sarah Arrow crashed through a nearby barrier in Moncks Bay, badly injuring several pedestrians.

Mr Imrie told Bay Harbour News on Tuesday he was pleased at news of the safety measures.

"If there had been a proper metal safety barrier in place, there would (still) have been an accident, but it probably wouldn't have been fatal. It was going into the estuary that killed my wife."

Police are still investigating the fatal crash. It's been a tough year for the pensioner, whose daughter died suddenly of leukaemia just two months after his wife's death.

A new safety barrier will be installed at the bend by Shag Rock by February next year.

There will also be a new 100m section of barrier constructed south of the Shag Rock bend.

Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board member Darrell Latham said the measures were long overdue.

"That is a problematic corner with a long history of accidents. We need to ensure not only that vehicles are safe from going off the road at the corner, but also the safety of people walking from the Christchurch Yacht Club to Shag Rock."

After Mrs Imrie's death, Dr Latham met with city council staff and police, and sought urgent action on both sites.

While he was pleased to hear measures were being put in place, Dr Latham was disappointed at the lack of communication from the city council.