15 December 2011
A judge has called for a "quantum culture change" among logging truck drivers on forestry roads after the death of a Taupo bushman. Mark Reynolds was killed in April when a logging truck, travelling on the wrong side of the road, slammed head-on into the ute in which he was a passenger. The ute's driver, Walter McKeown, of Kawerau, had his right leg amputated as a result of injuries he suffered. A third occupant, Benjamin Savage, suffered broken ribs.The three bushmen were returning home from work about 3pm when the crash occurred on Maungatera Rd, 20 kilometres south of Taupo.
In Taupo District Court yesterday, driver Shane Haskell, 35, was jailed for nine months and disqualified from driving for two years for aggravated careless driving causing death and injury. He was also ordered to pay $4000 to victims' families.
Haskell, a driver for 11 years, admitted driving on the wrong side of the road, cutting across a right-hand bend and colliding with the ute. He told police he thought the road was clear because the driver in front had not told him by radio about the work crew in the ute.
In sentencing Haskell, Judge Chris McGuire said: "There is an absurd reliance in some cases that, if there is no radio call made to alert drivers to other vehicles, then there are no vehicles. This is an absurd proposition. The logging industry needs to lift its game."
Judge McGuire said a similar fatal accident occurred in Kawerau five years ago.
"Truck drivers are professional and are required to set high standards of safety. In this case it is regrettable that it was absent on the day of the tragedy."
Source: Stuff website