Multiple investigations are under way following serious crashes on east Auckland roads that have so far claimed the lives of three people.
One person died following a crash at about 2.42pm on May 31 on Botany Road, near the intersection with Golfland Drive, in Botany.
A photo provided to the Times showed two damaged vehicles, a Toyota Starlet and a BMW, at the scene.
Police said there were initial indications people involved in the crash had sustained critical injuries.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area as surrounding roads became gridlocked.
Hato Hone St John Ambulance said it received a call about the crash at 2.51pm.
“Two ambulances and two rapid-response vehicles have responded to the scene,” a spokesperson said.
“Our ambulance officers are treating a number of patients.
“Two patients in serious condition are currently being transported to Middlemore Hospital.”
At 5.26pm police said one person had died at the scene following the two-vehicle crash.
Road blocks were removed from the intersection of Botany Road and Ti Rakau Drive but diversions were still in place.
Counties Manukau Police’s serious crash unit was in attendance and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.
On June 2, police said a second person injured in the crash had also died.
“The person was the driver of one of the cars and passed away in hospital earlier today.
“Our thoughts are with their family and loved ones.”
Meanwhile, a coroner will be asked to determine what led to a person’s death following another fatal crash in east Auckland.
Emergency services including police, Hato Hone St John Ambulance paramedics and NZ Fire and Emergency responded to the incident which happened in Kilkenny Drive, Dannemora, at about 10.40am on May 29.
“Sadly one person received critical injuries and has since died at the scene,” a police spokesperson said at the time.
“We extend our condolences to their family at this difficult time.
“The serous crash unit is in attendance and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.”
Police appeared to be examining a van parked at the roadside while a mobility scooter sat on the footpath nearby when the Times arrived.
Numerous markings had been made on the road by police.
An ambulance was still in attendance and a blue sheet had been placed on the road.
A police spokesperson said on May 30 the person’s death would be referred to the coroner.
The Times was contacted the day after the crash by a man who says he came across the scene shortly after the incident happened.
He says members of the public had arrived first and tried to stop the injured person’s bleeding.
They “kept her in a recovery position and breathing”.
“Her motorised scooter wrecked lying next to her.
“By the time the police arrived to block off the road, her pulse was weak and she soon faded away.
“The fire brigade came upon the scene and applied CPR. But it was to no avail.”
In a third serious traffic incident, police said emergency services were called to a serious crash on Pakuranga Road in Howick involving a vehicle and a pedestrian at about 6.10pm on June 1.
The following day, detective senior sergeant Mike Hayward said the pedestrian was in a critical but stable condition and the investigation was ongoing.
“The driver is also in hospital in a stable condition and assisting police with enquiries.”
