Truckie could not avoid fatal hit

amie.hickland@age.co.nz

I do not think the truck driver could have done anything more to avoid colliding with Trevor's camper.Tim Scott, coroner

FINDINGS: Masterton man Trevor Sturgess. PHOTO/FILE

The driver of a truck which collided with a Masterton man's vehicle earlier this year could not have avoided the crash, a coroner's report has found.

Trevor Samuel Sturgess, 83, died after his campervan collided with a truck on State Highway 1, near Levin, last May, while on his way to see his daughter Linda, at Foxton Beach.

He had pulled over to visit a vegetable stand and made a u-turn in front of a truck-and-trailer.

The truck hit Mr Sturgess' vehicle, throwing him through the window of the campervan. He died at the scene from multiple injuries.

Friend Patricia Cahill was in the campervan at the time and was injured but survived.

Coroner Tim Scott said in his report that the truck driver, Joseph Salisbury, could not have done anything more to avoid the crash.

"I record that the crash happened because either Trevor did not see the truck or he miscalculated distances and believed he could safely cross the highway," he said. "I do not think the truck driver could have done anything more to avoid colliding with Trevor's camper and that he only became aware of the potential danger last minute - so to speak."

There was no alcohol involved in the incident and Mr Scott concluded that Mr Sturgess was thrown from the cab, despite wearing a seatbelt at the time.

Mr Scott extended his condolences to those involved in the crash.

The Times-Age previously reported Mr Sturgess was a passionate football fan and a life member of the Masterton Cosmopolitan Club. He was also keen on old-time dancing and for the past 10 years had helped the Wairarapa Organisation for Older Persons (WOOPS).