Wrong-way car causes carnage on motorway

A 17-year-old schoolgirl and a 75-year-old taxi driver are in a critical condition in Middlemore Hospital after the teenager drove 2km in the wrong direction down a motorway, ploughing head-on into the man's cab.

Chanelle Kanara, 17, drove her Mitsubishi Mirage, an early birthday present, on to the Auckland Southern motorway's East Tamaki off-ramp about 2.50am yesterday, and travelled north in the wrong direction at speed. She collided with a Co-op taxi driven by Mervyn Lorigan, 75, who was heading home at the end of his shift.

Moments later, the taxi was hit by a Honda CRV, which was in turn hit by a tow truck. Police communications manager Kevin Loughlin said police were planning to stop Kanara but she crashed before they could get there.

"There were reports a vehicle was heading the wrong way, but before police could intercept it, the vehicle crashed into the taxi."

Police said there was no indication alcohol was involved.

Lorigan's injuries from the actual crash are not life-threatening, but his family said his age and a recent bout of bronchitis meant his condition was "touch and go".

Kanara is in a critical but stable condition in intensive care.

The teenager, a student at Papatoetoe High School, was given the car on August 18 as an early birthday present from family friend Desmond Marsh.

Marsh said Kanara was responsible and he couldn't understand how she ended up heading in the wrong direction. She had been out with friends but Marsh said she was not a drinker.

"That whole motoring system there is all confused. I often see people going the wrong way on that off-ramp," he said.

"She was one of those A1 students. She's just a beautiful child. She had a big future in front of her... but that's not going to happen for a while."

Kanara, one of eight children, had planned to study law at university next year. Marsh described her as a talented musician who performed with hip-hop stars Savage and Deceptikonz at a May Band of Strangers concert.

"She had a wonderful voice. She could play guitar and the keyboard."

Kanara's mother Anne was deeply distressed by the news, Marsh said.

"She's just got to get through this - it's down to the next 48 hours."

Lorigan has worked for Co-op Taxis for 53 years. He is a father of 11, grandfather of 24 and great-grandfather of six. Last year, he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with wife Joyce.

Lorigan's family said he had had a number of brushes with death, starting when he was 10 days old and his older brother took him from their house as it collapsed in the Napier earthquake of 1931.

He has been involved in at least half a dozen other crashes in his long career, including the last fatal crash before the median barrier was put on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Lorigan was in another crash six weeks ago and was planning to retire but stayed on because he loved working with people.

His eldest son Colin said his father was "one of the old school" who would drive his taxi from 5.30pm to 2.30am, get up at 10am to feed the sheep and tend to his crops on his lifestyle block, then sometimes help Colin with painting or renovations.

"He is a real socialiser and a character. But he was a workaholic and a real disciplined bloke," said Colin.

About 12 years ago, Lorigan had a heart bypass but discharged himself from hospital after 10 days and was back at work after another 10.

Colin said his father had many stories from his days driving, including fending off a robbery attempt in his cab by ejecting the attacker from the car as he turned a corner, flicking a door handle.

"There's a chance he will come through - he's a real fighter," Colin said of his father.

Mike O'Brien from Co-op Taxis said: "He's been with us a lot of years. I'm most upset this accident happened towards the end of his career."