BECKIE WILSON
[email protected]
A man died at the scene after his ute and an unladen logging truck collided on the Masterton-Castlepoint Rd early Monday morning.
The two vehicles collided on a bridge just north of the Masterton-Stronvar Rd intersection at about 2.30am.
The man was the only occupant of the ute, which rolled 30m off the road into a nearby paddock, Masterton fire station officer Mike Cornford said.
Paramedics worked to stabilise the man but he died as fire crew attempted to cut him free from his vehicle, he said.
The road was closed, and diversions were in place at Stronvar Rd and Te Parae Rd until 12.30pm.
Detective Sergeant Matt Wasson said after the ute came off the road, other motorists, including the driver of the logging truck, immediately began first aid.
“Now we are investigating, and speaking to the various people involved,” Mr Wasson said.
There was no indication that alcohol, drugs or speed were factors of the incident.
Mr Wasson said police had been unable to contact the man’s family on Monday.
The Serious Crash Unit and Wairarapa police are investigating.
Wellington Free Ambulance spokeswoman Diane Livingston said the paramedics did everything they could “but his injuries were so great”.
According to the Masterton District Council, there has been one incident near, and on, this bridge in the past five years, and that was due to a mechanical fault.
This is the third incident this year along Masterton-Castlepoint Rd, all within five kilometres of each other.
On New Year’s Day, Tinui man Isaac Epps died after his motorbike and a ute collided near McKinstry Ave.
On January 21, a people-mover carrying one male and three females hit a power pole between McKinstry Ave and Masterton-Stronvar Rd.
