Witnesses sought as investigations launched into SH2 Matatā crash

Police, NZTA and WorkSafe have each launched investigations into a triple fatality on SH2 near Pikowai. Photo / George Novak

At least three investigations have been launched following Tuesday's State Highway 2 crash which killed three road workers.

Police, the NZ Transport Agency and Worksafe NZ are investigating how the three men were killed, and another two injured.

Witnesses said Haki Hiha, David Eparaima and Soul Raroa were run into by a truck while they worked to clear a culvert at the side of the road about 1.50pm. The highway was closed for several hours, reopening just before 11pm.

Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Brent Crowe said police were appealing for information from anyone who used the Matatā stretch of SH2 between 1.30pm and 1.50pm that day.

Crowe said there were "a number of investigations" under way, including one by the Serious Crash Unit to determine the cause of the crash.

Sergeant Ray Wylie said police were also in the process of speaking to a paraglider believed to have witnessed the incident.

A WorkSafe spokesperson confirmed the agency was launching an investigation into the crash.

When asked what project the men were working on, what the state of the highway was and when was it last resealed, and how long had they been working there for, no one from the transport agency was able to respond before deadline today.