Miracle on SH1 as speedway team escapes deadly head-on crash

Sunday, 21 June 2026

Bruce Robertson says he is lucky to survive a crash that claimed the life of another person near Hunterville.

One person has died at the scene of a two-vehicle collision on State Highway 1 in Hunterville on Sunday afternoon.

Three other individuals were treated for moderate injuries following the crash near the Vinegar Hill Road intersection.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident at approximately 1.10pm.

A speedway team member is crediting a driver’s quick reactions with preventing what could have been a devastating head-on crash while travelling home from Auckland.

The crash happened on State Highway 1 near Hunterville, at an intersection with Vinegar Hill Rd on Sunday afternoon when a vehicle allegedly came around a sweeping corner on the wrong side of the road and collided with the team’s Volkswagen Amarok ute.

Photos from the scene show extensive damage to the ute, with one front wheel completely torn off in the impact.

The front half of the ute suffered extensive damage.

Experienced speedway driver Bryan “Puk” Puklowski was airlifted to hospital by helicopter following the crash.

Despite the severity of the collision, it is understood he escaped serious injury.

Passenger Bruce Robertson, also an experienced speedway driver, suffered chest soreness from the seatbelt and airbags but said he was “otherwise okay”.

Police have confirmed one person died in the collision and said emergency services were called to the scene at about 1.10pm.

Despite the extensive damage both driver and passenger walked free.

Reflecting on the crash, Robertson said the outcome could have been far worse.

“It would have been a total head-on if it wasn’t for Puk’s quick evasive action.”

He said the incident happened in seconds.

“I didn’t have much time to think about anything. It just happened so quick. It was on a sweeping corner and the next thing I see this car coming towards us.

”I thought it was going to be a full head-on, but Bryan managed to pull slightly to the left and it took the impact in the right front. Tore the wheel right off, all the suspension… everything.”

Robertson said “Puk” was able to walk immediately after the crash but was taken to Palmerston North Hospital as a precaution.

“We were lucky… lucky. We’re in a very safe vehicle with airbags and everything else that keeps you safe.”

The crash has left the speedway community shaken, with friends and supporters taking to social media to express relief those involved survived.

Do you know more? Email nadine.roberts@stuffdigital.co.nz confidentially