Worst of the road carnage avoided

Western Bay emergency services reported a relatively quiet holiday weekend, in contrast to the road carnage experienced around the rest of the country.

Tauranga police arrested a man after the car he was driving crashed into a residential garage on Cameron Rd, and firefighters were called out to Te Puna early on Sunday morning after a car crashed into a power pole, bringing some of the power lines down.

None of the vehicle's occupants were at the scene when police arrived however it is believed that no one was hurt in the accident.

In a separate incident, firefighters and paramedics were ferried to the remote Orokawa Bay, north of Waihi Beach, by local surf lifesavers to help an injured man.

The 24-year-old male had fallen off a rope swing and injured his back yesterday afternoon, Waihi Beach volunteer firefighter Barry Ross said.

He was airlifted out of the bay and flown to Tauranga hospital by the Westpac Rescue helicopter.

Also taken to Tauranga Hospital was an elderly Katikati woman who was knocked over by a reversing car in a carpark. The woman sustained a minor ankle injury.

Ambulance officers and firefighters throughout the rest of the region reported a quiet weekend, with no more than average callouts, despite the high winds and influx of holidaymakers.

Temperatures reached a high of 18C on Saturday, however strong winds gusts of up to 46km/h buffeted the Bay throughout the weekend.

Sun-lovers ventured out to Tauranga beaches on Saturday and yesterday, however 16mm of rainfall on Sunday kept most people indoors.

Surf lifesavers, patrolling the beaches for the first time this summer, said the wind and rain had kept many people away from the beaches.

Of those who did show up, only surfers and a few brave swimmers made it into the water.

Surf lifesavers did not have to make any rescues.

By yesterday afternoon seven people had been killed in road crashes around New Zealand, disappointing police who said the fatalities were preventable.

''When people choose not to wear seat belts, to drink and drive or exceed the speed limit they need to realise that those choices have permanent consequences,'' national manager of road policing Superintendent Carey Griffiths said.

''If you see your friends and family not following the basic rules, challenge them on it.

''You may save a life.''