One person has died and another is seriously injured after a two-car crash near Carterton.
Emergency services responded to the fatal crash on Ponatahi Rd shortly after 8.30am yesterday.
Police confirmed one person died at the scene of the accident.
The driver of the second car, suffering serious injuries, was transported to hospital by helicopter.
Police confirmed no passengers were involved in the collision.
The winding rural road connecting Martinborough and Carterton was closed to traffic for several hours while police established a crime scene and the Serious Crash Unit investigated.
Witnesses to the crash reportedly administered first aid while awaiting the arrival of emergency services.
The crash, which happened in heavy rain, left both cars significantly damaged, with one car leaving the road completely.
The resident who called 111 said the corner, on a camber, was notorious for crashes.
“This isn’t the first time it has happened here.
“It sounded like one of the cars lost control coming round the corner, and the other car has ploughed right into the middle of it.”
He said that he called emergency services a year ago for a “young fella” who left the road.
“There have also been a couple in the ditch, into those trees, and into my paddock.
“It’s coming around the corner, but it’s speed too.”
However, he did not support proposals to reduce speed limits across Wairarapa’s road network and said safe driving was much more about driving to the conditions.
Fire and Emergency said Greytown, Martinborough and Carterton fire brigades attended the scene and confirmed the jaws-of-life were used to extricate one person.
Life Flight said the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was initially called to the crash, but was stood down, unable to fly to the scene due to bad weather.
The helicopter subsequently met a road ambulance in Martinborough and flew a patient with serious injuries to Wellington Hospital.
The crash was the third vehicle fatality in New Zealand yesterday and the fifth in a horror year on Wairarapa’s roads. It also coincided with a plea to motorists from Waka Kotahi NZTA to support a Road to Zero future.
“Road safety authorities are urging Kiwis to back a vision of an Aotearoa where deaths and serious injuries on our roads are not inevitable.
“With more than a week still left in 2022, over 350 people have already lost their lives from crashes on our roads.
“Every one of those deaths is a tragedy for the families and communities affected, and on top of that loss, thousands more people have been seriously injured in crashes.”
NZTA director of land transport Kane Patena said more life-saving measures would be rolled out in 2023, including barriers, police enforcement, and “safe speed limits”.
With the holiday period looming and in the wake of last year’s “horrendous” 17 deaths on New Zealand’s roads, NZ Police Assistant Commissioner Bruce O’Brien said the importance of safe driving choices and planning ahead could not be overstated.
“We’re seeing New Zealanders returning to regular routines following the past few years of disruption, due to covid-19.
“More of us are getting out on the roads, and police will be working hard to keep everyone safe.”
He warned all commuters that police would be out in force for the duration of the summer holidays.
