Fatal tanker crash highlights dangers of SH2

A man has died after his car collided with a petrol tanker in the Athenree Gorge, near Mathers Rd. Photo/Melanie Camoin

The death of a motorist killed in crash with a petrol tanker has highlighted concerns about the safety of the stretch of State Highway 2.

The driver had been travelling north in a car when it collided with the southbound tanker in the Athenree Gorge, between Katikati and Waihi near Mathers Rd yesterday morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene just after 8am. The car driver was killed. The driver of the tanker was not physically hurt but shaken.

Waihi fire chief Moe Stevens said at the scene the road had to be closed to allow the police Serious Crash Unit to arrive and investigate. Diversions were put in place but the road was not opened again until nine hours later.

A man has died after his car collided with a petrol tanker in the Athenree Gorge, near Mathers Rd. Photo/Melanie Camoin

The section of highway from Waihi to Omokoroa has only a two-star safety rating with the New Zealand Transport Agency and has been identified as a road that needs improvements.

Over the past five years, 64 people have been killed or seriously injured on the road. Most resulted from head-on and run-off road crashes.

The stretch of road is rated the 14th worst corridor in New Zealand in terms of the frequency of fatal and serious crashes.

Athenree farmer Martin Rapley, who lived near where the crash happened, said the corner was notorious

"Coming toward Waihi, there is this passing lane just before the sheltered bend, so people can arrive quite fast ... people are getting more impatient and speed up, I see it every day," he said.

Mr Rapley also thought the increased traffic using the highway was an issue.

Waihi Beach resident Daniel Glubb was involved in a crash about two months ago on SH2. He said there were often accidents on the stretch of road when traffic was slow.

"There are a lot of side roads and an incoming traffic on SH2 going at 100km/h to watch out for. Compared to the Waikato Express, SH2 is more dangerous."

Lolita Perradin, who also lives in Waihi Beach and uses the road regularly, said that in only a small scope of time, she had known two people who had crashed.

NZTA stated its immediate priority was to make this a safer stretch of road as soon as possible.

In a written statement, a New Zealand Transport Agency spokeswoman said: "Any death is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the person who has died. The police are still investigating the cause of this crash. Once the investigation is complete, the police will provide findings into possible contributing factors."

NZTA safety plans for SH2 Waihi to Omokoroa

Potential safety improvements may include:
•Roadside and median safety barriers at high-risk locations to help reduce the risk of head-on collisions and drivers running off the road and hitting something much less forgiving - like a tree or power pole.
•Upgrades to high-risk intersections.
•Safer speeds to help minimise the impact of a crash.
•Rumble strips along edge lines to give fatigued or distracted drivers a wake-up call if they stray across the line.
•Improved signage to warn drivers of risks they need to prepare for further down the road.

- additional reporting Kiri Gillespie