Two a penny

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Safety plea on foreign drivers

Tuesday, 23 December 2008

Acoroner is calling for special road markings and fluorescent warning stickers in rental vehicles to prevent tourists driving on the wrong side of the road.
But the mother of a man killed when an American driver crossed the centre-line says it is the tourists who have to take more responsibility. "And you can't change the habits of a lifetime. "People get off a plane and get straight into a car without even knowing the road rules," Sally Beard said yesterday. ."
Her son, Kylie, 26, was travelling with his partner and his two-year-old daughter in a Subaru Legacy when it was struck by the tourist's Maui rental van near Nelson in November 2005.
In a ruling issued yesterday, coroner Ian Smith reiterated calls from the dead man's family to improve foreign driver education and for fluorescent "Keep left" warning signs to be displayed prominently in all rental vehicles.
American tourist Jess Fronckowiak had already pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing injury, was ordered to pay $10,000 and had left New Zealand before Mr Beard died. At present, all cat's eyes are either white or yellow.
Mr Smith said reflector cat's eyes, which glow red when seen by vehicles on the wrong side of the road, should be installed on New Zealand roads.
Figures from 2004 showed that five of the 46 deaths involving overseas drivers, and 91 of the 1193 injuries, were caused by cars being driven on the wrong side of the road, Mr Smith said.
He also called for Parliament to review driving laws after police confirmed that careless driving causing injury carried the same weight as careless driving causing death.
The agency would also be reviewing licensing rules for overseas drivers next year, including tightening rules for gaining a New Zealand licence which is compulsory for people who have stayed in the country for more than a year.
There were no warning stickers in Fronckowiak's rental van, but the Transport Agency said that, since the accident, officials had been working with rental companies to ensure they were used. They need to take more responsibility.
But Mr Beard's mother said that was irrelevant: "Tourists should be more prepared, maybe have to sit a test before they come here.
"He's gone happily on his way and we're the ones with the life sentence."
Mrs Beard said Kylie's death had devastated the family and, even though it was an accident, they still felt Fronckowiak had walked free."
Transport Agency central operations manager Mark Owen said the coroner's recommendations on cat's eyes would be investigated. Nothing will bring Kylie back, but we want to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else.

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Transport Minister Steven Joyce is awaiting a briefing next year on road safety measures and what can be done to improve them

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Wetas’ winning ways fascinate student

By – Tuesday, 16 December 2008

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NOT FUSSY: Victor Kang has won an award for his research into the mating habits of Banks Peninsula tree wetas.

For many students and adults, wetas are best left to their own creepy devices. .
The project last summer, supervised by Lincoln University, meant taking wetas out of their cage twice a day.
Victor's research into the mating preferences of endangered Banks Peninsula tree wetas was not for the faint-hearted.
"If you just handle them slowly and carefully and don't rush, they are OK," he said.
Victor admits to some early nerves, but said he soon realised the wetas were far more scared of him.
Victor's findings showed the Banks Peninsula female tree wetas were not fussy about whether they mated with males from their own species or those from the more common Canterbury tree wetas, which inhabit a similar environment.
Lincoln University entomologist and research co-supervisor Mike Bowie said the findings were valuable for scientists trying to determine whether the species was hybridising and whether the offspring were sterile.
"Interbreeding is bad for them they lose their identity and uniqueness," he said.
Victor, who has just finished his final year at Burnside High School, chose the weta research project from a list of topics provided on the application form.
Victor was one of four participants from last week's Realise the Dream science fair in Wellington who won the chance to present their findings to the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition in March. "Even if I am just walking in the street and I see ants, I stop to look at them and study their behaviour.
His fascination with insects began in a public garden behind his apartment in his native South Korea, where he lived until he was eight."

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Inquest into six trawler deaths abandoned

By DYLAN THORNE – Wednesday, 10 December 2008

A Southland coroner has decided not to resume an inquest into the deaths of six people in the sinking of Bluff trawler Kotuku in 2006. .
In a decision released yesterday, Mr Savage acknowledges the capsize of the Kotuku, with the loss of six lives, was New Zealand's largest maritime disaster since the sinking of the Wahine and deserved public scrutiny.
The coroner adjourned the inquest in May 2006 after learning independent investigations were being carried out.
However, he says that scrutiny had been applied through inquiries and subsequent reports by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and Maritime New Zealand and it is not in the public interest that it be relitigated at a resumed inquest.
Mr Savage does clarify that one of those on board, Ian "Shorty" Hayward, 52, died from drowning and hypothermia, consistent with cold-water immersion, rather than just cold water immersion as noted in a pathologist's report.
The TAIC report accepted the Kotuku capsized after being hit by two waves and, while the Maritime report had a different emphasis, the two were consistent and the coroner was satisfied matters such as the identity of those who died and and cause of death had been established, the decision says.
The only real question related to whether the circumstances of the deaths had been adequately established in the reports, the decision says.
Tests carried out to assess the boat's stability after it was recovered were inconclusive but TAIC found the general condition of the hull was substandard and it should not have passed a survey inspection.
Two issues highlighted in the inquiries were the stability of the Kotuku and the condition of its hull and fastenings.
Maritime New Zealand merely stated what the evidence of the surveyor and the skipper was and made no finding of its own.
However, it did not make a finding that that contributed to the accident, the decision says.
Both reports referred to actions already taken as a result of the tragedy and made extensive safety recommendations so there was no reason to hold and inquest for the purposes of making recommendations, the decision says.
Despite this, matters could be deemed to be adequately established if proper consideration was given to all evidence, even if that resulted in a conclusion that it was not possible to make definitive findings, the decision says.
Family members of those who died in the sinking could not be contacted for comment yesterday, but Mr Savage's decision notes they did not want the inquest to be held.
Family members of those who died in the sinking could not be contacted for comment yesterday, but Mr Savage's decision notes they did not want the inquest to be held.

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"You would have been asking a generalised body to review the work of a specialist organisation," he said

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Air New Zealand crash: Final victim named

06.10PM By STAFF REPORTERS – Friday, 28 November 2008

AFP
RECOVERY: Rescuers recover the body of the one crew member recovered from the sea.

AFP
Rescuers at work in the recovery of the victims of the Airbus A320 crash off the coast of France.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe talks to the media at a press conference held after an Air NZ A320 plane crashed off the coast of France.

THE AVIATION HERALD
AIRLINER DOWN: The approximate position of the crashed Air New Zealand Airbus A320 jet.

Photo 5 of 5

Air NZ crash update

Key offers support

Eerie echo of Erebus

: Air NZ boss takes questions

: Air NZ crash

Eyewitness account

Airbus A320 ‘reliable’

LATEST: Officials have named the fifth Kiwi presumed dead after today's Air New Zealand airbus crash off the coast of France.

HORROR SMASH: An Air New Zealand A320 – seen here in a file pic – has crashed in Southern France.
He is Noel Marsh, a 35-year-old engineer based in Christchurch. They were: Captain Brian Horrell, 52,of Auckland; Murray White,37, engineer, ofAuckland;Michael Gyles,49, engineer,of Christchurch.
The announcementfollows the namingof three Air New Zealand workers also killed in the crash.
Seven people – including two German pilots – were onboard the Air New Zealand Airbus A320 when it crashed into the Mediterranean, just off Perpignan in southeast France, about 4.
Earlier officials namedthe Civil Aviation Authority inspector on the flight as Jeremy Cook. It had beenon a test flight – involving several manoeuvres – ahead of a return to New Zealand.45am (NZ time) today.
French daily Le Monde reported three bodies had been found.
French daily Le Monde reported three bodies had been found.
"The CAA will continue to provide Jeremy's wife, family and friends with support now and in the future.
In a statement released this evening,the acting Director of Civil Aviation, Graeme Harris, said allauthority staff members were shocked and saddened by the accident.
"Jeremy is a popular engineer, respected and liked by all in the aviation industry. The CAA extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends to all those missing in this accident."
Mr Cookjoined the Civil Aviation Authority as an Airworthiness Inspector in April 2005. An aviation enthusiast, he has had a long career dedicated to enhancing aviation safety standards, and this accident has affected all within the CAA and the aviation industry.
Earlier in the day,a choked up Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfetold a press conference this afternoon thathe had spoken to the partners of each of the missing men. A Licensed Maintenance Engineer with an extensive background in aircraft maintenance, his career included time with Air Niugini in Papua New Guinea, Ansett New Zealand, and with the Christchurch Engine Centre. I conveyed to them my deepest sympathies and those of all Air New Zealanders as we await further information on their loved ones.
"This is an unbelievably difficult time for the families of those who are missing."
While Air New Zealand still held out hope for survivors, rescuers had told them they had grave concerns for those on board, he said."
While Air New Zealand still held out hope for survivors, rescuers had told them they had grave concerns for those on board, he said.
"It's very difficult for them as they wait for information on their loved ones. My heart goes out to them. They're dealing with the situation with amazing dignity and strength," Mr Fyfe said.
He said Air New Zealand would spare no expense in supporting the families.
Fyfe, who said today was the toughest of his career,will travel to France later today with the family of at least one of the Kiwi victims. Other families are considering their options.
Air New Zealand deputy chief executive Norm Thompson left for France about midday. England-based Air New Zealand management were also en route.
The deputy chief investigator of the Transport Air Investigation Commission, Ken Mathews, will head to the crash site to support the French investigation. Two officials from the NZ Embassy in Paris are also en route.
The airline has asked the media to respect the families' privacy and a security guard has been placed outside the Gyles' home in the Christchurch hill suburb of Cashmere.
CRASH WITNESS
The plane was seen flying low over the French Mediterranean shortly before the crash. It had taken off from Perpignan Airport and had reportedly carried out a touch-and-go landing beforeheading for Frankfurt, Germany, when it plunged into the sea.
Lydie Benedicte, who works on the information desk at Perpignan Airport, told ABC radio that the plane had dipped down into the sea very quickly.
"The aircraft crashed direct,'' she told the station. "It's not far from the airport. That's why the aircraft was not very high in the sky … that's why a lot of people saw the crash near the coast of Cannes.''
SEARCH
Jean Dunyach, head of Civil Security at the Prefecture in Perpignan, told that the search for survivorswould resume at 5amlocal time (5pm today, NZ time) when specialist divers would be sent in.
“Unfortunately, the conditions are very difficult, it is raining, there are 30kms of wind with big waves and operations have been complicated further because it is now dark,” he said in a telephone interview.
The water temperature in the area was believed to be about 13C.
He did not believe there were any survivors. The bodies already recovered had been transferred to the morgue at Perpignan Hospital, where a member of the French Transport Ministry, Dominique Bussereau, was expected tomorrow.
“It is a difficult night for the rescuers … the remaining bodies may well be in pieces.”
Mr Dunyach said the maximum had been done to locate the missing crew members, with five rescue boats, 17 specialised divers, a helicopter and a search aeroplane scouring the scene. Thirty divers were expected tomorrow when he hoped the black box would be retrieved from the wrecked aircraft, currently 40m underwater.
He said the New Zealand and German embassies had been told of the accident and families were being informed.
"It is too early to speculate about the reasons for the crash, only the black box can tell us."
There was a strong feeling of solidarity amongst the local fishermen from the Le Cannet en Roussillon area, as they had been asked to help in the rescue effort.
Better weather was forecast for Friday (French time), and although some were quite shocked by what had happened they were only too happy to lend assistance, he said.
"There was no explosion, it was flying (at) 300m and suddenly fell down into the sea, but no explosion."
There were many witnesses, and emergency services were quickly at the scene.
Some wreckage was floating on the surface, but the pieces were "very difficult to find as a result of the big waves and the dark".
SOMBRE MOOD
The mood at Air New Zealand and CAA headquarters in Wellington was sombre today, as staff waited for news from France.
The aircraft was owned by Air New Zealand and had been on lease to German charter company XL Airways for the past two years. It was four years old when delivered and had flown for Freedom Air for about a year before being leased.
Fyfe said it was being flown to Frankfurt, where it was due to be handed back for a ferry flight to New Zealand this week.
"Naturally, this is an extremely difficult time for us all and the full resources of the airline are being put into investigating what may have happened and providing support to our people and their families," he said.
Fyfe said Air New Zealand was drawing on the experiences of other airlines that had been in similar situations before.
The Air New Zealand pilot on the flight was a very experienced captain, "which is typically what we want when we are going through one of these acceptance processes. We have our most experienced people ensuring the aircraft is up to Air New Zealand standards". .
The crash comes 29 years to the day that an Air New Zealand DC10 crashed into Mt Erebus, killing all 257 passengers and crew.
Mr Fyfe said that today was already very poignant for Air New Zealand as a result of the Erebus tragedy, and the anniversary added a new dimension to the tragedy.
AIRBUS
The jet had been undergoing servicing at EAS Industries in Perpignan and flying circuits for 90 minutes before it crashed, an emergency services spokesperson said.
Six French aviation accident investigators and two from Germany were being sent to help an inquiry with experts from the French civil aviation authority (DGAC) and Airbus.
Airbus said it delivered the jet in July 2005 and it had carried out 2800 flights with about 7000 hours of use since then. The constructor gave no details of the accident.
There are about 3700 A320 jets in service with almost 3000 more to be delivered. Air New Zealand own two Airbus aircraft, and lease 10.
Their average age is four years, and they seat about 150 passengers.
– with agencies

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Serious injuries in Wellington fire

Thursday, 13 November 2008

JESS MCKEOWN
HOUSE FIRE: One person has been taken to hospital after a fire in central Wellington’s Tasman St late last night. Fire officers have begun investigating the blaze.
Five fire engines rushed to the house in Mt Cook's Ranfurly Terrace about 11.

Up to 18 fire fighters battled a house fire in central Wellington for more than an hour, which left a female occupant with burns and other serious injuries.
A fire spokeswoman said it took nearly two hours to bring the blaze under control and fire services were still at the scene this morning.30pm last night to find the building already engulfed in flames.
The woman, who was the sole occupant, suffered burns among other serious injuries and was taken to Hutt Hospital. Fire officers did not yet know what caused the blaze.

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Locals dream of the big stage

By SHANE COWLISHAW – Friday, 31 October 2008

DEAN KOZANIC
Starlight in her eyes: Christchurch musical theatre performer Julia Guthrey, 23, was among those to make a shortlist from the Christchurch hopefuls auditioning for the roller-skating musical Starlight Express.

It was all leotards, nerves and hot dance moves at a Christchurch dance studio during auditions for the roller-skating musical Starlight Express.
Starlight is second to Cats as the longest-running musical in British theatre history, and tells the story of a child's dream in which his toy train set comes to life.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber production will be performed in New Zealand for the first time next year with shows in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, beginning on July 1. Auditions were also held in Auckland and Wellington.
The 34 hopefuls at yesterday's Christchurch audition at the Impact Dance Studios had been whittled down from hundreds of applicants, and they were competing for 29 spots across the country.
After singing two songs to the judging panel, she was asked to learn and sing two more from the musical.
Christchurch musical theatre performer Julia Guthrey, 23, was among those to make a shortlist from the Christchurch hopefuls.
Angela Hegraty, 22, said of her audition: "I just think the nerves got to me a bit and the choreography went out the window, but I think it went all right.
She said a role in Starlight Express would be a huge step up for her career, which has so far included roles in Christchurch productions of Cats, Chicago and Guys and Dolls. He said the audition panel would now make its recommendations to the English director of the show, and the successful candidates would be told before Christmas."
Producer Stewart Macpherson said the Christchurch hopefuls were among the strongest groups to audition.
The cast would be put through a four-week course with a top German roller-skating coach, he said.
Some hopefuls yesterday were nervous about their roller-skating abilities, but Macpherson said "if they can dance, then almost certainly they can skate".

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Locals dream of the big stage

By SHANE COWLISHAW – Friday, 31 October 2008

DEAN KOZANIC
Starlight in her eyes: Christchurch musical theatre performer Julia Guthrey, 23, was among those to make a shortlist from the Christchurch hopefuls auditioning for the roller-skating musical Starlight Express.

It was all leotards, nerves and hot dance moves at a Christchurch dance studio during auditions for the roller-skating musical Starlight Express.
Starlight is second to Cats as the longest-running musical in British theatre history, and tells the story of a child's dream in which his toy train set comes to life.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber production will be performed in New Zealand for the first time next year with shows in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, beginning on July 1. Auditions were also held in Auckland and Wellington.
The 34 hopefuls at yesterday's Christchurch audition at the Impact Dance Studios had been whittled down from hundreds of applicants, and they were competing for 29 spots across the country.
After singing two songs to the judging panel, she was asked to learn and sing two more from the musical.
Christchurch musical theatre performer Julia Guthrey, 23, was among those to make a shortlist from the Christchurch hopefuls.
Angela Hegraty, 22, said of her audition: "I just think the nerves got to me a bit and the choreography went out the window, but I think it went all right.
She said a role in Starlight Express would be a huge step up for her career, which has so far included roles in Christchurch productions of Cats, Chicago and Guys and Dolls. He said the audition panel would now make its recommendations to the English director of the show, and the successful candidates would be told before Christmas."
Producer Stewart Macpherson said the Christchurch hopefuls were among the strongest groups to audition.
The cast would be put through a four-week course with a top German roller-skating coach, he said.
Some hopefuls yesterday were nervous about their roller-skating abilities, but Macpherson said "if they can dance, then almost certainly they can skate".

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Poisoning tragedy survivor remains seriously ill

– Monday, 08 September 2008

Barbeque accident leaves two dead

Hamilton man Jason Basson remained seriously ill in an Auckland hospital this morning after a carbon monoxide poisoning at a motor camp close to Raglan that left two men dead.

Do you know more about the Ruapuke tragedy? The would like to talk to you.co. Please email news@waikatotimes.

Mr Basson, 32, is the sole survivor from the accident at the Ruapuke motor camp, which claimed the lives of his two companions.nz or phone the news desk on 07 8499 666.
The victims' names will not be released until relatives in South Africa are informed of the deaths.
The men died after inhaling fumes from a charcoal barbecue they brought inside to heat the tiny cabin.
The other victim was a 50-year-old purchaser, from Hamilton.
But Huntly policeman Sergeant Brent Wallace this morning told the one man was a 35-year-old store manager from Howick, Auckland.
Mr Basson had fallen in and out of consciousness as he dragged himself along the floor of the cabin in a desperate attempt to get help for his two mates.
All three men were originally from South Africa.
He was this morning recovering in North Shore Hospital's high dependency unit, where he was likely to remain for some time, a spokeswoman said.
He was airlifted to Waikato Hospital, before later being transferred to Devonport naval base in Auckland for hyperbaric treatment.
However, it all turned tragically wrong overnight Saturday after a charcoal-burning portable barbecue was turned on to help them keep warm.
The three men were in a group of five from Hamilton and Auckland who had travelled to the secluded Ruapuke Camping Ground, about 20km southwest of Raglan, for a weekend of fishing and relaxation, while their wives were attending a baby shower for the injured man's wife in Hamilton.
About 8am yesterday, the teenage son approached Mr Walker for help after he was unable to rouse the trio, who were late for their scheduled 5am fishing trip to the popular Papanui Rock, about 2km up the road.
Camp ground manager Ben Walker said the group arrived on Saturday and had hired two cabins, with a father and son sharing a neighbouring site."
He realised once he got to the cabin that something was wrong.
"He wanted to get in that cabin to get his food. Mr Basson told him he couldn't move and to call an ambulance.
Mr Walker said he spoke with the injured man through the door."
It was then he realised the barbecue was probably inside the cabin.
"I said 'wake the others up', but he said they won't wake up.
Once inside the two men were found dead in their beds with Mr Basson lying on the floor against the door.
Once inside the two men were found dead in their beds with Mr Basson lying on the floor against the door.
"I did hear him say he had passed out and come around again. There's a bit of wind that passes through these cabins, so maybe that little crack under the door was enough to keep him alive."
Mr Walker said he hardly recognised the Hamilton man whose complexion was white and swollen.
He he knew the men reasonably well as they had stayed at the camping ground at various times in the past.
"They're just happy go lucky kinda guys."
However, he was baffled as to why they would use the barbecue as a heater.
"I don't know why they took it in. It's too small to take anything like that inside."
The camp ground is a popular spot for families over the summer period who are keen to escape, he said.
Yesterday, campers on site were lying low, including a young family in a campervan, and were kept inside the cordon until interviewed by police.
Sergeant Wallace said there was no indication that the men's deaths were suspicious, more they died as a result of a tragic oversight.