Hawke’s Bay saw one serious crash right at the tail end of this year’s long Easter weekend but, happily, there were no recorded fatalities on its roads.
While Police said they’re pleased that the Hawke’s Bay community are not mourning any fatalities this Easter Weekend, Eastern District Road Policing Manager Inspector Angela Hallett warned road users not to become complacent.
“Over the Easter Weekend there were dozens of crashes on our local roads, several of which resulted in injuries to members of our community.
“Many of our region’s roads are still under repair following Cyclone Gabrielle and we urge motorists to take extra care. Temporary speed limits are in place for the safety of all road-users.
Superintendent Steve Greally, Director: National Road Policing Centre visited Hawke’s Bay over Easter Weekend and was pleased with the behaviour of road users.
“I drove over to Napier and back for the Rod Stewart concert and I was pleasantly surprised to see some great behaviour on the region’s roads.”
Police are pleased to welcome visitors back to our region and encourage drivers to make simple decisions to keep themselves and others safe. Always wear your seatbelt, don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, remove distractions, and slow down.
Police attended reports of a crash near the intersection of Hyderabad Rd and George’s Dr about 7pm on Monday.
One person was taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital by ambulance in a serious condition.
A Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Hawke’s Bay spokeswoman said a woman in her 40s was assessed in the emergency department and then discharged.
Another crash near Maraetotara left one person in a moderate condition just after the closure of the Easter period.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said a car rolled into a stream off Maraetotara Rd about 7.30am on Tuesday.
The St John spokesman said one person was taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital by ambulance in a moderate condition. The road was re-opened by 8.20am.
A man in his 20s remained in a critical condition in Hawke’s Bay Hospital on Tuesday after a motorcycle crash on Evenden Rd on March 25.
The spokeswoman confirmed that a woman in her 20s remained in a serious condition at Hawke’s Bay after a crash on Flaxmere Ave on Thursday last week.
A man in his late teens was also admitted after the crash, but later discharged.
In Auckland, a man died from injuries suffered in a crash on Auckland’s Southern Motorway last Friday. The 68-year-old motorcyclist hit a slow-moving car on State Highway 1 near Manurewa just after 2pm on April 7. It was the only death reported on New Zealand’s roads during Easter.
Last year, five people died on the roads in the same holiday period.