Crash on Desert Road

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 37, 6 March 1984, Page 1

Crash on Desert Road

If proof were needed for the necessity of a layby at the intersection of the Desert Road and the Helwan Camp turn-off north of Waiouru then this accident should provide ample and graphic evidence. The accident, which occurred just before 3pm last Friday week, involved a local rubbish truck and a black Holden Monaro from Rotorua. Both had been travelling down the Desert Road and as the rubbish truck, belonging to local contractor Mr T. Tweedale but being driven by Peter John Wheeler of Waiouru, turned right into the Helwan Camp entrance, the Holden Monaro, driven by Graham Venn of Rotorua clipped the truck's rear wheel. The impact overturned the truck while the car spun across the road and came to rest on the cattle-grid at the entrance to Helwan Camp. An eye witness at the crash site reported that the Army were quickly on the scene with ambulances and medical assistance along with Military Police who proved invaluable in alerting oncoming traffic to the dangers. The wife of the Monaro driver, Mrs Polly Venn, received a dislocated shoulder and other injuries and had to be cut from the car. She was flown by Army helicopter to Palmerston North Hospital.

Also in the same helicopter was the most seriously injured person, Mr Stephen Hugh Parker of Rotorua, 'who was a back seat passenger. He suffered severe leg and chest injuries and was put on a respirator for the flight down to Palmerston where he was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit. At last report he had been taken off the respirator but was still seriously ill in hospital. The car's driver Mr Graham Venn, another passenger and the driver of the truck all received minor injuries and were not admitted to hospital.