One dead after van crash at notorious accident blackspot near Gisborne

Saturday, 20 June 2026

One person has died following a van crash in Patutahi, west of Gisborne.

Ten others were injured in the single vehicle crash, which took place on Wharekopae Rd just before 5.20pm on Friday, including two seriously. Hato Hone St John said it transported the injured patients to Gisborne Hospital.

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward with more information.

Local man Barry McLaughlin told Stuff he witnessed the scene, at the corner of Kirkpatrick and Wharekopae Rd, shortly after the crash and saw police and passers-by attending to several patients.

“There were a few distressed people in the field and lying on the grass getting care,” he told Stuff.

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Another local, Dylan O’Connell, said the area was a crash blackspot and he had personally witnessed several serious accidents at the site.

He had “lost count” of how many he had seen there.

O’Connell said the road was particularly dangerous when it was raining, which would have made Friday’s conditions extra slippery.

“The road’s too f…ing dangerous, end of,” he said.

“Even for the locals who run this road daily, we all know how dodgy it is.”

Hato Hone St John said nine vehicles and three helicopters had attended the incident.

Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed to Stuff on Friday it had been supporting police and ambulance, however no one had been trapped in the crash.