Typically the angle media take on a crash involving tourists is the foreign driver threat on our roads.
But that wasn't the only startling aspect to Saturday's head-on collision on Waimarama Rd. The interesting sub plot came courtesy the locals arrived on scene later.
The crash involved a van carrying German visitors travelling towards Hastings and a car - near the corner of Waimarama and Ocean Beach Rds at 7.10pm. It's understood the van veered to the wrong side of the road.
The mess resulting from the collision prompted the response of two rescue helicopters and three ambulances.
Soon after, they were joined by about 100 local onlookers as heavy traffic returning from the two popular nearby beaches ground to a halt.
The ensuing lack of dignity on scene by motorists held up, was loathsome.