Crash victims thank helpers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 603, 12 September 1995, Page 1

Crash victims thank helpers

Miro Street car crash victims Alan Gardner and family have been overwhelmed with the help they have received from local people, and 'underwhelmed' by the lack of support from government agencies. The family were involved in the car crash on Miro Street on Saturday 2 September, when a car travelling north along Miro Street smashed into the front of their van while they were taking their friends on a sightseeing tour around the town. Mr Gardner suffered leg injuries, one of his sons suffered cuts to his face — miraculously escaping serious injury after being thrown through the windscreen and then ending up under the van — a friend's daughter suffered a fractured femur and the friend suffered severe bruising. He said the help. they received at the crash site from emergency crews including the Ohakune Volunteer Fire Brigade, the Police, ambulance crew and friends, was fantastic. No fewer than eight doctors who were in town on skiing holidays offered assistance as did off-duty firemen from Palmerston North. .

Alan's wifeBeth said after the ones with serious injuries were transported to hospital, Alan and Karen Murdie, her bosses at Ohakune New World, arranged transport for the friend and herself to the hospital. "Not only that but they picked us all up and brought us all home afterwards," She added. Other supermarket staff helped at the crash site and also later, chipping in and providing six boxes of groceries to tide them over their difficult time. But the help they have received from organisations such as ACC has not impressed the family. Alan said they will be severely set back by the crash as their van was written off. The couple run a canoe adventure business and they were almost through the process of licensing the vehicle. He said even if they get the full value of the van from insurance, it won't cover the money they have spent on licensing the vehicle. ACC also does not compensate them for earnings they Turn to Page 3

Crash victims thank helpers

FROMPAGEl will lose being out of action for the start of their spring/ summer busy period. They will even be out of pocket for the cost of the clothes they were wearing. Most of their clothes had to be cut off them because of injuries, but ACC does not cover replacement of them, even though they are the innocent victims. Alan explained that their friend found herself in Wanganui at her daughter' s bedside with no change of clothes, but was helped out by Income Support. "But although they gave her some money to buy a change of clothes and a tooth brush, she has to pay it back."

Alternative activities The Gardners say they hope their experience will highlight the need for Ohakune to provide things for people to do when the ski fields are closed. The car that crashed into them was driven by skiers and the ski fields were closed on the day. 'There is nothing in this town for these kids to do on a closed day except drink," said Beth. They come to Ohakune expecting to have fun on the snow and if they can't, the frustration leads to problems. She said the ice skating rink proposal was one that the town needed to get behind.