Children pulled from wreckage after fatal smash with logging truck

Thursday, 30 August 2018

Passers-by pulled children out of a car that collided with a fully-laden logging truck on Thursday, but the man at the wheel couldn't be saved.

They administered first aid before emergency services arrived at the scene near Morrinsville on Thursday morning.

The collision happened on Piako Road, near Matuku Road, about 8.10am.

The 34-year-old Morrinsville man who died in the crash was driving a Mazda Demio and was heading west, Morrinsville Sergeant Vic Sneddon said.

READ MORE: Teenager killed in crash a 'shining light' to all, family say

People at the scene got the car's other two occupants - two children - out of the Demio and gave first aid before emergency services arrived, he said. The truck driver suffered minor injuries and was not taken to hospital. 

There was also some concern about whether airbag dust was a fire in the vehicle.

People acted quickly to keep the kids safe - at risk to themselves, he said - and police wanted to thank them for their efforts.

St John initially said two people were taken to hospital in serious condition, but Sneddon said the children were 'relatively uninjured'.

Family were located and were with them at the hospital, he said.

The crash happened during the morning commute, when many people were travelling between Morrinsville and Hamilton, Sneddon said.

Piako Road was closed between Matuku and Valintine roads while police examined the crash scene on Thursday morning.

GPS information from the truck indicated it hadn't been speeding, Sneddon said, and witnesses told police the car did not appear to be speeding either.

Conditions were dry at the time and there was good visibility.

Police are continuing to investigate what caused the crash.