Soldier a confident driver despite faults, inquest told

Privates David Partington, Ashley Goodwin and Shane Ohlen.

Colleagues and instructors of the driver in last year's fatal Unimog crash in Central Otago had expressed concern about the soldier's driving ability, an inquest heard yesterday.

Privates David James Partington (17), Ashley Patrick Goodwin (19) and Shane Adrian Ohlen (21) were killed when their Unimog plunged about 100m down a cliff into the Kawarau River on February 23 last year.

Private Lindsey Farrow told the inquest in Queenstown yesterday that Private Partington's driving was "pretty dodgy" during the early stages of a six-week driving course.

She said Private Partington did not corner well and accelerated when he should not. She could not relax or go to sleep when he was driving.

"He thought he was a really good driver. We would mock him about his driving and he would just laugh it off, thinking that we were just joking about it."

Private Lachlan Olliver recalled an incident in which Private Partington panicked while driving up a steep bank.

He "put his foot flat down and bounced up the hill a bit out of control", Private Olliver said.

However, he had noticed an improvement in Private Partington's driving later in the course.

Army driving course manager Sergeant Anthony Barton said Private Partington did have "minor" problems during the course, but was deemed competent and safe.


New Zealand Defence Force counsel Captain Grant Fletcher suggested that a Range Rover driven by Rodney McVicar, of Christchurch, crossed the centre line as it approached the Unimog.

However, Mr McVicar, a civil engineer with experience driving large trucks, said he had pulled well to the left when he saw the Unimog approaching.

Road and weather conditions were fine at the time of the crash.

The inquest, before coroner Alan Macalister, continues today.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES