Bridge death: Man admits causing bridge crash

Emergency services at the scene of the fatal crash on Maungatapu Bridge. Photo/File

A Tauranga man has admitted causing the fatal head-on crash which killed Tauranga father Greg Woledge after his work van plunged off Maungatapu Bridge and into the river.

Iain Stewart Crisp, 45, who appeared in Tauranga District Court today, pleaded guilty to charges of careless use of a motor vehicle causing death, careless use of a motor vehicle causing injury, and causing a false statement to be made in a logbook.

Crisp also admitted charges of possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis for supply, possession of cannabis seeds and possession of cannabis utensils.

Mr Woledge, 24, died when his AMP'T Electrical Ltd company van he was driving plunged off the Maungatapu causeway bridge after the three-car collision just after 6pm on August 12.

Despite desperate efforts to rescue him, Mr Woledge was trapped inside the submerged van after it crashed through the bridge railing.

Constable Deane O'Connor leaped off the bridge into the harbour and helped rescue Mr Woledge's work colleague Ashley Donkersley, 23, who managed to escape the van.

Crisp was employed as a bus driver at the time of the crash.

Judge Louis Bidois remanded Crisp on bail pending sentencing on April 7.

Crisp was bailed on the condition he does not drive any motor vehicle.