Horror start on Easter roads

Two people have been killed and 12 injured after serious crashes today as the Easter holiday period gets under way.

In the most recent incident, one person died after a van carrying seven people left State Highway 6 near Luggate in the South Island.

The vehicle, believed to be a Toyota Hiace, ended up down a bank, about 12.45pm.

St John spokesman Ian Henderson said two seriously injured people were flown to Dunedin Hospital, while two people with moderate injuries and a person with minor injuries were taken by ambulance to Dunedin Hospital. 

Meanwhile, State Highway 2, south of the township of Te Karaka, near Gisborne, remains closed after two cars collided head-on about 10.45am, police said. 

Mr Henderson said seven patients were treated at the scene and all transported to Gisborne Hospital.

Two people were in a critical condition, while five others had serious injuries. 

"We sent a number of resources to the scene, including two ambulances and a rescue helicopter from Gisborne," he said.

A Fire Service spokesman said crews from Te Karaka and Gisborne attended the scene on Matawai Rd.

He said one patient was a child and two patients were trapped on arrival, but were freed.

State Highway 2 was expected to reopen about 3pm.  

In Canterbury, a  vehicle ran off the road and crashed into a tree in a rest area on State Highway 77 at Methven, killing one person. 

St John said ambulance staff were called to the scene about 9.10am.

The highway remained open to traffic. Police were trying to establish the cause of the crash and the driver's identity. 

No further information would be given until next of kin have been informed.

The holiday period began at 4pm on Thursday and ends on Tuesday at 6am. 

Safety first message

Last year, there was one fatal crash and 101 injury crashes that left 29 people seriously injured during the period. Nearly all of those crashes occurred on the open road and 40% were the result of a driver losing control or running off the road, the New Zealand Herald reports.

The NZTA's road safety director Ernst Zollner said yesterday that 279,000 more vehicles on the country's roads compared with a year ago increased the potential risks for drivers.

"We all need to approach the long weekend with a 'safety first' mindset to minimise the chances of making mistakes that can cost lives and cause serious injuries," he said.

Holiday periods also meant motorists were more likely to spend many hours behind the wheel and he warned fatigue could be deadly while driving, especially travelling unfamiliar roads.

"We all make mistakes some times, but mistakes on the road can have serious or even deadly consequences, so ensure your car is road fit, keep your speeds down, drive to the conditions and stay alert," Mr Zollner said.

Mr Zollner said one of the simplest measures to keep safe was to reduce speed.

Acting Assistant Commissioner road policing and prevention, Dave Trappitt, asked motorists this week to stay safe by buckling up, driving sober and checking speeds.

"If you're out socialising, please take it easy on the alcohol, and look after yourself and your mates. This includes making a plan to get home safely, and not driving after drinking. We also know that a large number of assaults and family violence incidents have alcohol at the centre, while around a third of all fatal and serious road crashes have alcohol as the main contributor.

"Similarly, following a recent spate of diving related deaths, please take care out in the water and ensure you are well prepared with the right equipment and that someone knows your plans. The same applies if you're heading into the outdoors, so that you get home again safely."

St John director of clinical operations, Norma Lane, said: "St John ambulance officers see first-hand the devastating effects of road crashes.

"We hope that making motorists more aware of the serious consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not wearing seatbelts, or a moment of distraction, will help to reduce the risk of road crashes this Easter. Please take road safety messages seriously and remember the principles of first aid, including looking after your own safety if you are first at the scene of a crash."

- ODT, NZME and NZ Herald