Cycle crash driver tormented over deaths

Kristy King was cut out of the wreckage after her car and the cyclists collided. Photo / Supplied

A young woman involved in a fatal crash which killed two cyclists is traumatised by the accident that left her trapped in car wreckage while two dead men lay near her.

Kristy King, 23, was driving the Mazda Familia when it collided with a group of cyclists about 12km south of Morrinsville of Sunday morning, killing Mark Ferguson, 46, and Wilhelm Muller, 71.

Another cyclist, Kay Wolfe, 44, was in a serious condition in hospital.

The men - and a third cyclist killed in a horror weekend on the roads - were training for the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

Ms King's family, who have a farm in Matamata, said the young driver was traumatised and they were also trying to come to terms with what had happened.

A statement from police previously said the 23-year-old crossed on to the wrong side of the road on a corner before colliding head-on with riders from the Morrinsville Wheelers Cycling Club.

Cyclists said it felt like hours before emergency services, including a Westpac rescue helicopter, arrived, though it was closer to half an hour.

Ms King, who suffered minor injuries, has been discharged from hospital. Her lawyer said last night that she intended to co-operate with the police.

The family of Mr Muller said they wanted police to prosecute Ms King to create more awareness of road safety.

"[But] it doesn't bring our father back," said Mr Muller's daughter, Belinda Muller.

Ms Muller said the Sunday rides had started 20 years ago for her and her father. Other people soon joined, and he had kept the casual rides going ever since.

Mr Muller's wife, Nola Muller, had lost her husband of 50 years. They were married when they were 19.

On Sunday, Mrs Muller heard the fire sirens across town and knew her husband was dead before police arrived to tell her. She described her husband yesterday as her best mate.

Their son, Steven, said Morrinsville had lost a pillar of its sporting community.

His father was always the one telling cyclists to keep left and made sure they were safe, he said.

Further south, Patricia Anne Veronica Fraser, 34, from Longburn near Palmerston North, was out training with her best friend along State Highway 3 near Mt Stewart when she was fatally hit by a car travelling in the same direction.

Mrs Fraser had three daughters and a son, aged between 5 and 13.

A police spokeswoman said the Fraser family were devastated by her loss and had asked for some space and privacy to grieve.

Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge spokeswoman Clare Ponton said there were more cyclists on the road as they increased their training for the event, unfortunately leading to a number of accidents at the weekend.

She said it was important for cyclists and car users to remain vigilant and aware of one another.

"Cyclists should ensure they are wearing high-visibility clothing and have appropriate safety gear.

"Other road users such as cars, trucks and buses should ensure they allow sufficient room when they are passing cyclists."

The death of three cyclists, among a total of 12 people killed on the roads at the weekend, has prompted a call from a Green MP for action on cycle safety.

In a blog, Kevin Hague said bike lobby group Cycle Advocates Network had called for urgent cycle safety action and had listed a number of priority areas for the Government, including a campaign telling motorists and cyclists how to co-exist safely on the roads.

Other priorities were lower speed zones in residential and shopping areas; more encouragement of alternatives to driving, and funding for a programme of cycle skills training.

The weekend's deaths took the road toll for the year to 329.

- additional reporting by Katherine Irvine