Tensions ran high between police and some members of the public at the scene of a crash in Martinborough yesterday that has left one person in a critical but stable condition at Wellington Hospital.
Associates or family members of one of the drivers involved were at the scene and interfered with ambulance officers and police, resulting in their removal by police – including one arrest.
The crash on the corner of Oxford and Regent Streets was reported to emergency services at about 7am yesterday.
A police serious crash unit was on the scene investigating the cause of the crash, but initial findings are that a ute failed to give way on Oxford St, crashing into a people mover travelling on Regent St.
Wairarapa Police area commander Scott Miller said it appeared that the young male driver who failed to give way was not wearing a seatbelt.
As a result, the driver was ejected from his vehicle and ended up pinned beneath it.
Fatigue and speed are other factors believed to be involved in the incident.
“The cause of this crash is inattention to the road rules – a give way sign, speed, driving fatigued, and not wearing a seatbelt,” Miller said.
The driver of the ute was placed into an induced coma by first responders before he was airlifted by a Westpac helicopter to Wellington Hospital. The latest update available before print deadline was that he is in a serious but stable condition.
The driver of the other vehicle was transported to Masterton Hospital, where they are expected to make a good recovery.
While emergency services were working to stabilise the driver of the ute, people who are believed to be either his associates or family members began interfering with ambulance officers and police.
“The message here is when emergency services are working hard to save someone’s life, don’t interfere with them or try to stop them,” Miller said.
“The people that had to be removed are well known to police.”
Miller confirmed there was extensive damage to both vehicles, and both the serious crash unit and road police remained on the scene for a full investigation.
Charges relating to the crash are expected to be laid.
Miller iterated that this was a serious incident and that there was “a high possibility of loss of life”.
Fire crews were first on the scene and managed to lift the ute to allow ambulance officers access to the man trapped underneath it.
Martinborough chief fire officer Jake Hawkins said fire crews in attendance were able to use hydraulic spreaders along with airbags to lift the vehicle off the patient.
“We put them under the car with blocks and used spreaders to lift the vehicle off the patient,” he said.
Hawkins said the intersection has been the site of accidents in the past but that it is not an overly dangerous spot. emergency services are working hard to save someone’s life, don’t interfere with them or try to stop them,” Miller said.
“The people that had to be removed are well known to police.”
Miller confirmed there was extensive damage to both vehicles, and both the serious crash unit and road police remained on the scene for a full investigation.
Charges relating to the crash are expected to be laid.
Miller iterated that this was a serious incident and that there was “a high possibility of loss of life”.
Fire crews were first on the scene and managed to lift the ute to allow ambulance officers access to the man trapped underneath it.
Martinborough chief fire officer Jake Hawkins said fire crews in attendance were able to use hydraulic spreaders along with airbags to lift the vehicle off the patient.
“We put them under the car with blocks and used spreaders to lift the vehicle off the patient,” he said.
Hawkins said the intersection has been the site of accidents in the past but that it is not an overly dangerous spot.
