Grieving family’s plea for barriers

TRAGIC DEATH: Erin Jones stands by the roadside cross memorial to her daughter Erica, who died in a collision with a logging truck on Tatapouri hill. The Jones family want median barriers installed to help prevent another such tragedy. Picture by Paul Rickard

The family of a woman killed in a crash on Tatapouri hill last year have made a heartfelt plea to Gisborne district councillors to install safety barriers and improve the region’s transport network to prevent future deaths.

Erica Jones died in a collision between her car and a logging truck on November 10. She was 26.

Her mother Erin and brother David spoke at a district council meeting yesterday.

Erin Jones said the family wanted to be part of the solution so had approached the council.

“I don’t want the next death on your hands because I’m taking it off my hands and giving it to you.’’

Her daughter would still be alive if a median barrier had existed in November on the hill near Tatapouri Motor Camp.

She later specified that she did not mean wire barriers but “proper barriers” as existed on the Auckland motorway.

“We know our roads are not designed for big trucks.”

Truck drivers “sling-shot’’ or revved up on the flat and came around the curve on Tatapouri hill, coming close to or crossing the centre line, she said. The camber was not suitable for trucks.

“We know money is coming into this city (for roads)” — an apparent reference to the Provincial Growth Fund.

She wanted to see separate roads built for trucks travelling from the Coast to the port, or a rail line built, or rail or coastal shipping used to transport logs.

“In the meantime, I’m asking that the very minimum done is to put barriers up and over Tatapouri hill.”

The speed limit should also be reduced.

Mrs Jones said the accident was still under police investigation. It was not known whether her daughter’s car or the logging truck crossed the centre line.

“It doesn’t matter to me. If there were barriers there I believe Erica would still be alive today.’’

David Jones said decisions made about roads were crucial.

“We are not the only ones carrying grief. There are many families across the rohe carrying their own grief related to car accidents.”

Trees in the forestry industry took 30 years to grow, meaning there were years to ‘‘work out’’ infrastructural needs.

‘’More trucks on the road equals a higher probability of death because in car versus truck, the truck will always win.”

Mr Jones said he was not attacking the forestry industry or drivers. Mistakes happened.

The family went to the accident site to install a memorial cross. Parts of his sister’s car were still there.

“Trucks were flying past, he said. “You could hear them revving up a kilometre away. As soon as they got to the corner, they cut the corner to get around.’’

Mr Jones said from Turanga to Tolaga Bay there had been too many accidents over summer.

“Who knows how many there will be in the winter.”