Saturday, 9 September 2006 - 1:47pm |
National News

Four Car Crash on Southern Motorway

1 min read

Police investigators from the Serious Crash Unit are urging any witnesses to a four car crash on Southern Motorway early this morning, to contact them as soon as possible.

Police say that about 2.50 am this morning Saturday 9 September 2006, a car entered the off ramp of the Southern Motorway at Otara. The Mitsubishi Mirage accessed the motorway and then immediately proceeded north travelling in the southbound lanes.

This is in the complete opposite direction to all normal traffic flows on this motorway.

At the sector of the motorway between Princess Street and East Tamaki, the offending vehicle collided head-on with a southbound taxi. Seconds later the taxi was hit by a second southbound vehicle. This car, a Honda CRV, was then hit by a third vehicle, a tow truck.

The 17 year old female driver of the Mitsubishi Mirage that was travelling north, was taken by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital. Her condition is described as critical.

A 75 year old male who was driving the Holden Commodore taxi was also taken to Middlemore Hospital. He has serious injuries. The drivers of the third and fourth vehicles received minor injuries.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Constable Blair Atkinson of the Serious Crash Unit would like any motorists who saw a vehicle travelling north in the south bound lanes between Princess Street and East Tamaki at about 2.50am this morning to contact him on Phone [09] 481 0300.

Ends;

Kevin [Kev] Loughlin

District Communications Manager

North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney Police

Telephone: 09-488-9758 - Mobile: 027-281-0271

Email: kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz