Missing man found after triple-fatal Desert Road crash

A man initially believed to be missing from a triple-fatal crash on the Desert Road overnight has been found.

A search and rescue operation for the man was underway for over 12 hours before police said they located him this evening.

“There are no further concerns for his welfare, and police are speaking with him,” a spokesperson said.

Police said it was “horror night” on the roads after the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1, Waiōuru.

Emergency services were called to the accident between Shawcroft Rd and Access Rd No 17 just before 3am.

Police said three people died at the scene and two suffered serious injuries.

Another person, who police believed was also in the vehicle, was initially unaccounted for.

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton told NZME the crash was devastating for the community.

“My thoughts go out to the families that are involved.

“Long weekends tend to be vulnerable to crashes ... with the extra volume of traffic and that location, Desert Road, can be quite lonely and isolated, and so people quite often get into trouble that way,” Kirton said.

He said incidents during long weekends like this highlighted the importance of drivers taking regular breaks and driving safely.

Hato Hone St John earlier told the Herald two people in a serious condition were taken to hospital, one to Palmerston North via helicopter and the other to Wellington in an ambulance.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager Shannon Lucas said a crew from Waiōuru was working to free one person trapped in a vehicle.

The Desert Road was closed between Rangipō and Waiōuru but has since reopened.

‘Horror night’ on roads a ‘sobering reminder’

Police said three fatal crashes and five deaths occurred on what was described as a “horror night”.

“One person died in a crash in Wairakei, one on Waiheke, and tragically, three people were killed in a crash in Waiōuru,” director of road policing Superintendent Steve Greally said.

“That is absolutely gutting.

“We are thinking of their families today, while they deal with the awful reality that their lives will never be the same.”

This comes after deaths in two earlier crashes this King’s Birthday weekend, bringing the provisional number of deaths to seven.

Greally is urging motorists travelling home today after the long weekend to take every safety precaution.

“We say it all the time but we’re going to say it again – there are four main things that contribute to death or serious injury on the roads.

“Those are speeding, not using your seatbelt, driving distracted, or driving impaired, including by tiredness.

“If you’re getting on the road today, please – buckle up, put your phone away, watch your speed, and if you are at all impaired by alcohol, drugs or tiredness, stop – don’t get behind the wheel.

“These things might be the difference between you getting home safely or not.”