Families grieve as two teenagers die on roads

Dylan Campbell (R) died when his Mitsubishi Galant collided with a Isuzu Mu. Photo / Supplied

The grieving family of a teenager killed in a high-speed, head-on crash after losing control of his car say they will never get over his death.

Dylan Campbell, 18, was killed instantly when his Mitsubishi Galant and a 4WD Isuzu Mu collided near Waiuku, south of Auckland.

He was the first of two teens to die in crashes at either end of the country within 70 minutes on Friday night.

Another 18-year-old died in Invercargill when the car he and four others were in ploughed into a power pole just before 9pm on a residential road.

Campbell, a builder and Pukekohe Rugby Club member, was driving home from work on Glenbrook Rd, towards Waiuku, when he lost control of his vehicle about 7.50pm.

The Isuzu driver, 48-year-old Alan Morgan, called police from his mangled car.

Acting Sergeant Wayne Paxton of Pukekohe police said the T-bone impact left Morgan's vehicle "embedded" in the passenger side of Campbell's car.

The impact threw Campbell onto the road. Police believe he died instantly.

Morgan, a truck driver, had to be cut free by volunteer firefighters and was taken to Middlemore Hospital with chest injuries.

"It was a huge, huge impact," said Paxton. "The cars looked like they were welded together."

Constable Steve Carey of the Counties Manukau serious crash unit said witnesses reported seeing Campbell "driving erratically" before the crash.

Morgan said that part of Glenbrook Rd was "quite flat" and said Campbell looked like he had overcorrected a right-hand turn, causing him to slide sideways across the road.

Through a family spokesperson, Campbell's family said their second eldest of four sons was "very respectful and respected".

"[It is] a loss that the family will never get over. The family wish to sincerely thank the police, victim support, ambulance and fire for the kindness and courtesy shown in respect of Dylan and the family.

"Our love to all involved."

Friends were yesterday posting RIP messages on Campbell's Bebo page, expressing their sadness at his death.

One wrote: "You were one of the best guy mates anyone could ask for.

"Dude your life was made too short. Man im gonna miss you!"

Friends also said his friend, Amber, was "being as strong as she can be for you".

Paxton said it was too early to say if speed and alcohol were involved, but heavy rain that had left the roads "bloody wet" was a possible factor.

Morgan said he had been driving under the speed limit, at about 95km/h, and was adamant Dylan was speeding.

Morgan said from his hospital bed: "He wasn't slowing down, he was sliding sideways. All you can put it down to is speed."

Morgan called police as he battled bruising and injuries caused by his seatbelt and steering wheel.

"I was screaming in agony - if I wasn't driving a 4WD I wouldn't be here, I'd be dead.

"The impact was so bad it smashed the back windows of my Mu (and) one of the nurses grabbed and held my neck while the other was ringing all the people I was asking for."

Resident Kay McMath heard the impact from her home 250m away and ran to investigate. She said it was the first fatal crash she had heard of on that particular stretch of road.

"We heard a big bang. It sounded like an explosion, like a gas bottle going off.

"We bike it, that's how safe [the road is]. It was just speed."

Morgan said if more people paid attention to police messages about speeding and driving to the conditions, he would not be in hospital.

"I've gone my whole driving career without having an accident like this," he said. "Somebody died from their own stupidity."

Paxton said the accident was a timely reminder that drivers had to pay attention and take their time when driving in wet conditions.

The Invercargill crash happened on Matua Rd, a residential street in the suburb of Otatara.

Police said speed appeared to be a factor and would be investigated further.

The impact caused the power pole to fall across a nearby driveway, cutting power to about 120 homes overnight.

Sergeant Dave McKenzie of Invercargill police said four of the car's occupants had to be cut free.

The process took a long time because of extensive damage to the vehicle and the dangers posed by live power lines.

The other four occupants of the vehicle were taken to Southland Hospital, one with serious injuries, but two had been discharged last night.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY