Man dies 12 days after crash

The scene of the crash. Photo / Christine Cornege

A man critically injured in a head-on collision north of Te Awamutu 12 days ago has died in Waikato Hospital.

Inspector Leo Tooman said 47-year-old Otorohanga man, Vince Stafford, had been taken from the scene of the crash on State Highway 3, just north of the intersection with Te Rahu and Ngaroto Roads, in a critical condition.

The crash is still under investigation by the Waikato Serious Crash Unit, however initial indications are that Mr Stafford's southbound Mitsubishi utility crossed the centreline into the path of a northbound Nissan Navara.

The 31-year-old Ohaupo woman driving the Navara suffered serious injuries in the crash while her one-year-old daughter suffered only minor injuries, thanks in a large part to a correctly fitted child car restraint, police said.

"Mr Stafford died in hospital on Wednesday and his death has been reported to the coroner," said Mr Tooman.

"This latest death brings the Waikato road toll to 37 compared to 33 for the same period last year and with the holiday weekend upon us police across the district will be working to try and ensure this figure is not added to."

Mr Tooman urged holiday motorists to plan their trips on the region's roading network to try and avoid peak traffic flows.

"If you can, leave early and allow plenty of time for your return, be mindful of the effects of driver fatigue, allow plenty of time for rests and plan ways to keep children occupied so as to try and avoid stress on mum and dad while out on the road."

Pressure points on Waikato roads will be SH25 around the Coromandel Peninsula, SH25A (Kopu-Hikuai Rd), SH25 at the Kopu Bridge, SH2, and SH1 at Cambridge.

"It's also probably the first time people will be out with their boat trailers or caravans so ensure their road worthiness before setting out, that way we can all be sure of safer journeys and an enjoyable summer holiday weekend."

From 4.30pm today to 6am on Tuesday, police will be ticketing drivers travelling 5km/h over the limit, rather than the usual 10km/h. Police will also be focusing on drivers keeping within their lanes over the Labour Weekend.

Eight people died on New Zealand's roads over Labour Weekend last year.

- NZHERALD STAFF