Driver lost control on ‘notorious’ corner

A man who was four times over the legal alcohol limit died after crashing a classic car he had bought just a week earlier.

Five years on, the coroner has released findings into the death of 22-year-old Runanga man Jason Anthony McDonald in September 2018. He died a week after buying a 1979 Ford Falcon, which he crashed into the Coal Creek rail overbridge on SH6, described by police as “notorious for accidents“.

After spending time with a friend in Greymouth playing darts and drinking on the afternoon of September 30, McDonald agreed to have dinner and stay the night, but left about 5pm even as his friend ran out of the house and yelled to the departing car.

McDonald was seen by other drivers driving east towards Runanga, and travelling at speed around a corner. Shortly after, he crashed into the Coal Creek rail overbridge northeast of Greymouth. He was thrown from the car, coming to rest about 5m from the car. McDonald was taken to Grey Base Hospital where he died from his injuries two days later.

Coroner Heather McKenzie said a blood analysis showed McDonald had a blood alcohol level of 208mg/100ml, but she could not make a definitive finding on the effect alcohol had on McDonald’s driving. The legal limit is 50mg/100ml. The findings also ruled out excessive speed as a factor.

The police serious crash unit (SCU) had found no sign of heavy braking, and it appeared he was wearing a seatbelt. Examinations could not find faults with the steering.

Waka Kotahi would review the chevrons to ensure they were appropriate, and “whether the proximity to the private property can be better managed,” the coroner’s findings said.

Waka Kotahi also told the coroner it expected the overbridge to be replaced. That would include safety improvements such as increased width, improved approach and modern guardrails.

At the time of the crash, Greymouth fire chief Lee Swinburn said there had been numerous incidents and several other fatalities at the overbridge in the past decade.

In light of existing road safety campaigns around drink-driving, and Waka Kotahi’s response to the SCU’s suggestions, the coroner made no recommendations.