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Stuff
Robert William Kauika of Ashburton died after a two-car accident on William St in Netherby around 8 p.m. Saturday. (File photo).
A man who died in a two-car accident in Ashburton was “a character” who loved working outdoors, says a spokeswoman for a recruiting company.
Robert William Kauika, 69, of Ashburton, died after the accident on William St, in the suburb of Netherby, around 8 p.m. Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Ashburton’s recruitment agency, Personal Placements Limited, said Kauika, known as Robbie, had some “character” and a “tough case” and had been working for the agency for at least the past seven years.
He said that Kauika loved working outdoors and had been involved in potato harvesting, trucking, shearing, and many other seasonal jobs in the Ashburton area.
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“Robbie had some character and was great doing the seasonal work that he did with us, we are so sad to hear of his passing.
“Our thoughts are with Robbie’s family and friends, and we wish him a peaceful journey back to his final resting place up north. He will be missed by all of us. ”
A resident of nearby Orr St said Stuff he heard tire screeching like “someone trying to stop quickly,” followed by a “massive hit” about four seconds later.
John Bisset / Stuff
Police say the total number of road deaths in Canterbury dropped at the same time in 2019.
Minutes later the sirens of police and firefighters were heard, he said.
“It must have been bad, the explosion was huge,” he said.
Aoraki Area Commandant Inspector Dave Gaskin said it was too early to suggest the cause of the accident, but it did not appear that any “outside influence” such as drugs, alcohol or speed was a factor.
He said the accident was a reminder to motorists that driving a car can be dangerous and that they should take all possible care to ensure they get home safely.
The Serious Accident Unit continued to investigate the cause of the accident.
A police spokeswoman said the thoughts were with Kauika’s family and friends.
Twenty-one people have died on Canterbury’s roads so far this year, 12 fewer than at the same time last year, according to road death statistics from NZ Transport.
Gaskin said this was a “positive” sign and, although there were still some instances of “silly” driving, it appeared that motorists were being more careful and the average speed on Canterbury roads was decreasing.
