The Christmas Day fire in forestry slash covered about 100m by 100m. Photo / Maungaturoto Volunteer Fire Brigade
The Christmas Day fire in forestry slash covered about 100m by 100m. Photo / Maungaturoto Volunteer Fire Brigade
Northland emergency services have had no rest over the Christmas period, with road crashes, a serious quad bike accident and a fire in forestry slash.
The busy period has highlighted calls for drivers to show greater caution on Northland’s roads in the summer holidays.
The emergencies began on Christmas Evewhen five people were injured in a crash near Waipu that blocked State Highway 1 from 7.15pm.
Hato Hone St John transported five people to Whangārei Hospital – one in a serious condition, two in a moderate condition and two in a minor condition.
Hato Hone St John was called just after 2.30pm and the patient was flown to Middlemore Hospital shortly after by an Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Six fire crews needed to control blaze
Meanwhile, volunteer firefighters from six different brigades were called away from their Christmas festivities to control a fire in forestry slash in Kaiwaka on Thursday afternoon.
Firefighters were called just after 3.30pm to the fire on the corner of Pritchard Rd and Ryan Rd, on the border between Northland and Auckland.
Firefighters from six brigades were needed to control the Christmas Day fire in Kaiwaka. Photo / Maungaturoto Volunteer Fire Brigade
The fire covered 100m by 100m, and firefighters from volunteer brigades in Kaiwaka, Maungatūroto, Mangawhai, Paparoa, Matakana and Wellsford were called to fight the blaze.
Fire and Emergency shift manager Josh Pennefather said the fire was contained by about 7pm.
Northland Road Policing manager Inspector John Fagan said wearing a seatbelt, driving to the conditions and avoiding distractions can be the difference between walking away from a crash, and being seriously injured or dying.
Northern Rescue Helicopter’s Sara Eivers (pictured from left), Northland Road Safety Trust’s Ashley Johnston and Northland Road Policing’s Inspector John Fagan are urging drivers to take more care on Northland’s roads over the busy summer period.
“Sadly, in Northland, there is still an entrenched culture among too many people who believe they have the right to drive after drinking, but they don’t.
“That is what kills people or leaves them with lifelong injuries and trauma. Sometimes innocent people die through the selfish actions of drunk and drugged drivers.”
Northern Rescue Helicopter critical care paramedic Sara Eivers has witnessed the unpleasant and fatal results of crashes.
“It is devastating to see the consequences of road crashes that don’t need to happen.”
Northland Road Safety Trust general manager Ashley Johnston is also frustrated by the disregard for basic road safety.
“As a mother, it is just common sense for me to wear a seatbelt and make sure my children are securely fastened with restraints. Sadly, far too many people choose not to, and that’s what kills people and ruins lives,” she said.
“The other road safety basics like not speeding, nor driving fatigued, distracted or under the influence or drugs, alcohol or medications are also ignored by too many people.”
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
