The crash happened on the intersection of Dalefield Rd and Thomas Rd. PHOTO/ELI HILL
MARCUS ANSELM
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A Carterton woman killed in a car crash near Dalefield School on Monday has been named as Glenys Mary Rowe, 73.
Rowe was killed after the car she was driving collided with a truck on the intersection of Dalefield Rd and Thomas Rd.
A passenger – a 42-year-old man – was taken to Wairarapa Hospital in a critical condition before being transferred to Wellington Hospital by Life Flight.
He is in a serious condition in the intensive care unit at Wellington Hospital.
The driver of the truck had “no reported injuries”, a police spokesperson said.
Bruce Pauling of Wairarapa Road Safety Council said the crash served as a warning to people.
“Obviously, it’s a tragic start to the year for Wairarapa and our Carterton community, and our thoughts go out to the family dealing with the fallout of something like this, first and foremost.
“Untimely as it may sound, it is a reminder that crashes occur in a second with devastating lifelong consequences.
“Driving demands 100 per cent of our attention span and we must be aware of intersections and follow the road rules in terms of giving way.
“Sometimes we take things at face value if we drive the same roads every day in, day out, but again, you have to be vigilant, and you have to react to every situation that arises.”
Dalefield resident Nicole Butler has lived in the area for nine years.
She said she wanted to see improved signage in the area as there were more road users.
“I’ve seen numerous cars and mobile homes go straight through [the intersection].
“Too many people are popping out and there’s been so many near misses. It’s bound to happen again.”
Butler contacted WRSC and the New Zealand Transport Agency about the junction and intended to contact the police and Carterton District Council.
Dave Gittings of CDC said the council had not been involved in any immediate investigations into the crash.
He said the council was “deeply saddened by the fatality and wish to express our condolences to the friends and family of the deceased and also recognise the huge impact that involvement in the accident may have on the driver of the other vehicle”.
Carterton Mayor Greg Lang said the crash had sent ripples through the “strong, close-knit community” after the latest in a series of deaths across Wairarapa in the past few days.
“Everyone in the community knows someone who has a relationship with someone who was involved in one of the incidents.”
Rowe’s son is a member of the town’s volunteer fire brigade.
Brigade chief Bryan Styles said help was on hand for Fire and Emergency volunteers and officers in such situations.
“The support network that’s there for volunteers and career [firefighters] is amazing.
“It’s also been extended to families, so anyone in a firefighter’s family can use it as well.
“I think it’s used a bit throughout the country and it’s a lot more accepted than it was 30 years ago.
“It’s a good way for a release and to talk to someone else and not bottle it up inside.
“It’s just a normal part of the process.
“There is really good support for firefighters and their families in these situations.”
