Death in the rain prompts yet another Northland safety warning

Emergency services at the scene of a fatal crash on SH1 at Maromaku. PHOTO//MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Motorists gave a dying man CPR after he was thrown from his car in a wet weather crash north of Whangarei.

Police said the weather may have contributed to the crash on State Highway 1 at Maromaku yesterday.

A south-bound car had collided with a north-bound truck about 7.30am in wet, rainy conditions.

On Thursday, after a week of rain was forecast, police had warned drivers of the impending dangerous road conditions.

"It's extremely disappointing people are still not taking care on the roads given our weather conditions and with at least two days of similar weather remaining, people should drive to the conditions, keep a good following distance and plan their journey," Senior Sergeant Patrick Davis said.

Mr Davis said the car driver was thrown from his vehicle and despite the efforts of passing motorists who performed CPR, he died.

The truck driver was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa with a leg injury.

Traffic was diverted through Ruapekapeka Rd and Callaghans Rd. Large vehicles had to wait until the road was re-opened about 11.15am as the detours were not suitable for bigger vehicles.

"The speed limit is not a target. Drivers should slow down in atrocious weather conditions since roads have become very slippery after a long dry spell," he said.

Eight people have died on Northland's roads this year.

The worst of the heavy rain is over, but bursts of rain and lightning are expected this weekend.

MetService said temperatures around 25C and humidity over 80 per cent meant it would still be muggy, particularly in Whangarei, Kerikeri and Kaikohe.

Rainfall figures supplied by the Northland Regional Council showed Kimberley Rd in Waihopo, 53km northwest of Kaitaia, received 79.55m of rain- the highest in the region- in the 12 hours to 2.15pm yesterday. Towai received 72mm, Oruru at the bowling club 51mm, and the Bay of Islands Golf Club in Kerikeri 43mm.

The lowest rain were recorded in Pouto Pt where just 3mm fell and Wallace Rd in Awaroa which received 5mm.

The Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management volunteers will be monitoring the situation over the weekend.

Torrential rain after 2.30pm yesterday caused flash flooding on Bulls Gorge and on SH10 near Kerikeri.

Civil Defence volunteers will be monitoring the situation over the weekend.

Torrential rain after 2.30pm yesterday caused flash flooding on Bulls Gorge and on SH10 near Kerikeri.