Community rally to save elderly driver at intersection collision
On 25 August at about 9am the driver of a van was turning at the intersection on Pukete and Wairere Drive Hamilton. The van driver failed to comply with the red traffic signal and collided with an oncoming vehicle which had the right of way. This resulted in the van tipping over crushing the elderly van driver’s arm.
Despite the circumstances – within seconds of the crash occurring, other road users came to the aid of both drivers, and when they realised that the driver was elderly and the van was trapping their arm, they quickly came together and as a group pushed the vehicle upright onto its wheels.
Along with a fast response from FENZ, Hato-Hone St John and quick-thinking members of the public, the injured driver was able to be treated immediately.
We were impressed at how the community came together to help one another during the incident and how both drivers showed concern for one another at the scene. They were both in good spirits despite their ordeal. The van driver was taken to hospital for treatment on their arm along with the driver of the other vehicle who had minor injuries.
It’s a timely reminder to always take a second look at intersections and keep a look out for other vehicles even though you have the right of way.
Things could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the quick thinking of other motorists and witnesses at the scene. We are grateful to those members of the public for their attentive and caring response to the situation.
The driver of the van was issued with an Infringement Offence Notice.
A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?
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23.6% On top!
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