Far North footpaths a hazard, woman says after breaking leg

Waikato woman Jo Morley fell and broke her fibula crossing this Pukenui footpath in the dark. Photo / Supplied

It was meant to be a nice weekend away to visit her friend in the Far North for Jo Morley and her partner.

But a fall into an uncovered drain left Morley, 49, with a broken fibula and a dislodged ankle and kicked off a frustrating and ultimately unsuccessful effort to have the Far North District Council (FNDC) put up more lighting or make its open drains safer.

Nearly five months on, Morley is still dealing with pain and limited mobility. She has gone public to ask the FNDC to prevent the same happening to others.

"My partner and I stayed at a friend's house in Pukenui on the corner of Lamb Rd and State Highway 1. We got up early to go to Ninety Mile Beach and do all the fun stuff up there, and after a little nap we wanted to go out to the pub," Morley said.

"It was pitch black when we went outside. Next thing I know I was lying in the ditch screaming my head off."

Because the drain is less than 1 metre deep, it doesn't need to be covered according to FNDC. Photo / Supplied

A concrete footpath runs past the property Morley was staying at, crosses a drain and connects onto the main road. This was where she fell in February.

FNDC's general manager for Infrastructure and Asset Management Andy Finch said there were no other records of other complaints or injuries at this location.

"However, I am aware that this was a serious fall that forced this resident to take time off work and we regret that this has occurred," Finch said.

"While the footpath itself is in good condition, this incident has demonstrated that the section where it crosses the drain to the road edge has a drop-off on either side that can present a safety hazard."

The council currently had no plans to upgrade the existing structure.

Morley said the hazard was exacerbated by a lack of streetlights in the area.

Pukenui resident Kerry Johansen, who owns the property Morley was staying at, was disappointed by the council's response and reckons footpaths in his town could be improved.

"I feel terrible about what happened to Jo. The light is bad at night but the council just brushed it all off. It's not good enough."

He said other footpaths, including those leading to the school bus stop and past the medical centre, were cracked and needed maintenance.

Pukenui had a population of about 2000 people, and Johansen said it was a popular stopover along SH1 for tourists travelling to Cape Reinga. Yet the council was hesitant to spend money on local infrastructure.

The intersection between Lamb Rd, SH1 and Pukenui Wharf Rd that led to the waterfront was surrounded by commercial dwellings, including a Four Square, an eatery and a motel.

Pukenui Pacific manager Brenda Broughton said the roads were hardly lit at night.

"Especially in winter, there is a lack visibility out here. […] The council disregards the Far North."

FNDC's Finch acknowledged that street lighting could be improved. "We have requested funding from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency to improve lighting for pedestrians across the district."

Streetlight funding was allocated to improve safety under two broad categories – one to improve lighting for vehicles and one for pedestrians. Improving lighting for vehicle traffic was prioritised as it reduced more injuries and fatalities.

"Waka Kotahi has not yet responded to our funding request for street lighting," Finch said.

The Northland Transportation Alliance was currently working on its $30 million roading and footpaths renewals programme. This included nearly 7km of new footpaths in the district for 2020/21.

"Many of these projects are in our smaller towns, with footpath projects selected by our community boards in each ward," Finch explained.

All Morley is hoping for is that no one else gets badly injured.

Jo Morley's dislodged ankle is being held in place by two large screws and her broken fibula has a metal plate with further four screws. Photo / Supplied

Before her accident, she was a full-time sales rep who loved being active and spending time outdoors.

"This has had a huge impact on my life. I don't want anyone else to go through the same thing."

Two screws are currently holding Morley's ankle in place. They will probably come out in a few months' time. A metal plate with four screws on her fibula will remain inside her leg. Her doctors don't know yet how much mobility Morley will regain.