Third Morrinsville cyclist dies in hospital overnight

18 November 2010

A woman critically injured after a group of cyclist she was riding with was struck by a car near Morrinsville on Sunday has died this morning in Waikato Hospital.

Kay Heather WOLFE, 45, of Gordonton had been one of 10 cyclists from the Morrinsville Wheelers Cycling Club travelling in a group along the Morrinsville-Walton Rd when a car driven by a 23-year-old woman crossed the centreline on a corner and crashed into the group.

Two male cyclists, Mark Andrew Ferguson, 46, and Wilhelm Muller, 71, died at the scene while Ms WOLFE suffered critical injuries and was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance.

A fourth cyclist suffered minor injuries while the driver was also taken to hospital for treatment.

Acting Waikato Road Policing Manager, Senior sergeant Jeff Penno, said Ms WOLFE'S death meant Sunday's crash was the second three person fatality incident in the Waikato this year, the first being the loss of three young people on SH2 at Maramarua on 7 September.

"We've also had four double fatalities and people will be aware that the Waikato has suffered seven deaths resulting from crashes over five days.

"The types of crashes over those days have covered a wide spectrum of victims from cyclists to motorbike riders, a truck driver and occupants of cars, but some common factors have emerged with speed, driver inexperience and alcohol all factors. The reality is we now have seven families who will have loved ones missing this Christmas."

Mr Penno said a number of strategies were in place to ensure a highly visible Police presence on Waikato roads this summer but enforcement was only part of the solution.

"We need the public to say enough is enough, we need attitudinal change in regards to complying with basic road rules such as watching your speed, keep to the left, avoid alcohol and drugs and stick to the conditions of your graduated driver licences.

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