Young man's crash death devastates colleagues

Waitaki District Council staff are shocked and devastated over the death of one of their colleagues, along with a truck driver, in a head-on collision just south of Hampden early yesterday.

Scott William Ridley (23), of Oamaru, died in Dunedin Hospital from severe injuries received when the council-owned car he was driving and a truck collided near the Baghdad Creek bridge about 4.45am yesterday.

Chief executive Michael Ross said Mr Ridley, the communications and policy development officer since 2009, was a popular young member of the staff and "a great contributor".

"He helped ensure our messages met a wide audience, particularly younger members of our community," he said.

Police could not name the truck driver, in his 60s and believed to be based in Christchurch, until formal identification was completed.

Detective Sergeant Mike Ryder, of Oamaru, said conditions were atrocious at the time of the crash.

"Many who regularly travel the road describe these as the worst visibility conditions they have encountered," he said.

He estimated visibility at 30m to 50m at the crash site when emergency services arrived.

Mr Ridley, the sole occupant of the five-door hatchback, was returning to Oamaru from Dunedin and the truck-and-trailer unit, carrying bulk flour, was heading south, when they collided head on just north of the Baghdad Creek bridge.

Det Sgt Ryder said the truck left the east side of the road, went through the bridge guard rail and into the deep creek bed and collided with the bank, before bursting into flames, which were fed by fuel and flour.

The driver died immediately.

The severely damaged hatchback ended up on the west side of the road, from where the driver had to be cut free.

Because of the fog, the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter was unable to land at the crash site.

Mr Ridley was taken by ambulance to Palmerston, where the helicopter could land, but died later in Dunedin Hospital.

Det Sgt Ryder said no detour was available, and SH1 was blocked for about four hours before being opened to allow for single-lane traffic.

Traffic built up beyond the Moeraki turn-off in the south and 3km-4km north of Hampden.

Some trucks were parked on side streets in Hampden to reduce congestion.

Det Sgt Ryder thanked motorists for their patience and tolerance while the highway was closed.

The Hampden rural fire party sent a tanker and pump unit to the crash.

It was joined by rescue units from Palmerston and Oamaru.

Waitaki principal rural fire officer Steve Couper said the truck fire was severe and it took an hour and about 4000 litres of water and foam to get it under control, dampen and cool down.

Two firefighters used breathing apparatus to help fight the fire because of fumes from burning diesel and materials in the cab.

Mr Ross said Mr Ridley had approved use of the council vehicle, which he was driving to attend a lecture at the University of Otago on Wednesday afternoon.

"We were helping him in this way so as he could finish his degree in marketing and communications. The council hires for attitude and then trains for the skills we need. Scott certainly had lots of positive attitude ...

"He helped ensure that our thinking and messages met a wider audience - and particularly younger members of the community," Mr Ross said.

Mr Ridley had recently returned from assisting with earthquake relief efforts in Christchurch as a public information officer with Civil Defence, a role in which he excelled in May last year during flooding in North Otago.

As well as being active with young people in the community, he was about to start leading the communications effort for the council's annual plan.

Through the council's website, he introduced its first YouTube video on the annual plan and links to Twitter and Facebook.

"Our thoughts and sympathies go to his mother and family, and also to the family of the other driver involved with this tragic event. Scott will be a great loss for us, for the council and for the whole community," Mr Ross said.

The police investigation involves staff from the Serious Crash Unit, forensic photography and Dunedin, Hampden and Oamaru police.

david.bruce@odt.co.nz