Motorist dead after crash between truck and car closes busy North Canterbury road

Tuesday, 4 May 2021

A motorist has died and another is critically injured in a high-speed collision after one of the drivers crossed the centre line on a notorious North Canterbury road.

Emergency services were called to the crash between a truck and an SUV on Tram Rd near Swannanoa at about 7.30am on Tuesday.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman Simon Lyford said two crews from Kaiapoi and another from Rangiora were sent to the scene and had initially tried to free one person from a vehicle.

A second person who is critically injured was taken to Christchurch Hospital, a St John spokesman said.

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It is understood one of the two drivers was on the wrong side of the road at the time of the collision.

A man, who declined to be named, was on his way to his parent’s home when he drove past the truck.

“I passed the truck and turned into the driveway and next minute there was just smoke. I went down and there was the crash.”

The man said both drivers were sitting in their cars not moving. The SUV was still running.

A woman who was also on the scene called police, who arrived soon after.

Diversions are in place and motorists are urged to avoid the area. Tram Rd is closed between Jacksons Rd and Radden Rd, and motorists are advised to use South Eyre Rd as an alternative.

Tram Rd is a notorious crash spot. Over the last five years 77 crashes were recorded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), of which 13 were serious and two were fatal.

Tuesday’s crash follows another fatal incident, in which 33-year-old aspiring cricketer Malaykumar Patel died after crashing his car through a fence on Tram Rd in West Eyreton on March 10.

The property’s owner, Barry Grives, previously told Stuff it was the ninth crash at his property in 12 years.

There have been at least 10 other deaths on Canterbury roads so far this year, according to NZTA. Nationally, 107 people have died on the roads – 10 more than the same time last year.