Drink-driving ambulance station manager quits

St John Ambulance station manager Colin Robson tendered his resignation yesterday after admitting three driving charges in Queenstown District Court.

Robson, 42, admitted driving with a breath-alcohol level of 661mcg, dangerous driving and failing to stop to ascertain injury after a non-injury accident on January 21.

The Wakatipu man was convicted on all charges and fined $550 and court costs of $130 for drink-driving, ordered to pay $130 court costs for dangerous driving, and fined $300 for failing to stop.

Robson was disqualified from driving for six months.

A further charge of obstruction on January 22 was withdrawn by the police yesterday.

Sergeant Ian Temple told the court Robson, driving a St John Ambulance car, was overtaking a vehicle while driving up Fernhill Rd in Queenstown when he crossed the centre line. He was unable to avoid a collision with a car coming down the hill, and both vehicles suffered substantial damage.

Mr Temple said Robson left the scene, parked his car at a nearby hotel and initially denied he had been driving when police caught up with him.

Defence lawyer Kevin Phillips told Judge Noel Walsh his client would be eternally remorseful for putting his employer under the spotlight.

"After giving the matter some consideration and discussing it with his family, he has tendered his resignation to St John because he has brought the organisation into discredit."

On the night in question, Robson had gone to help a female tourist suffering from cardiac arrest but she died just before he arrived.

This had come on top of two weeks during which he had been involved in mountaineering deaths in Wanaka, various car accidents, a man falling 45m from a tree in Queenstown and a hang-gliding crash. "This is just a combination of injury, maim and distresses that he had to meet each day of his working week," Mr Phillips said.

Robson and his wife had been out for dinner, which had been cut short after his wife became ill.

He had made the wrong decision to drive his wife home, then went into a state of panic after being involved in the accident.

"He has resigned his job, had to face his family, had to face his friends," Mr Phillips said. "All these are matters that are far above and outweigh the penalties that can be imposed by this court."

Judge Walsh acknowledged Robson's "outstanding" character, and his work at "the coal face, dealing with all sorts of tragedy and accidents".

"In my view, your actions ... reflect a rush of blood to the head. You panicked," he said.

"I can see by your response and demeanour in the dock that you are severely ashamed of your offending."

He told Robson his biggest punishment was the publicity the charges and convictions brought.

Judge Walsh said that while it was sensible that Robson had offered his resignation, he hoped his employer would stand back and take a compassionate look at his past work and also his potential.

Speaking after the case yesterday, the St John Ambulance southern region manager, Garth McMillan, confirmed the service had received a letter of resignation from Robson, but said it was yet to be considered.

- NZPA