Accident on state highway 5: driver dies after crashing into the back of a house to move out

The driver of a car who died near Rotorua last night crashed into the back of a house that was being moved.

Emergency services were notified of the accident on State Highway 5 north of Rotorua between Tarukenga Marae Rd and Oturoa Rd around 11.17 pm

Rotorua’s road surveillance manager, Sergeant Major Simon Sinclair, told the Rotorua Daily Post that the driver was an older man and was the sole occupant of the car.

He said the man had passed two pilot vehicles traveling behind the house in the truck before crashing into the rear.

He died from the impact on the spot.

The man’s closest relatives were still being contacted and his name had not yet been released.

Sinclair described the accident as “unusual” given that the vehicle collided with the rear of the truck.

“We still have some things to investigate. He passed two pilot trucks to collide with the truck, so we are trying to find out what happened here, as it is quite unusual.”

He said the Serious Accident Unit attended the scene and was investigating.

He said the truck drivers and pilot trucks were understandably upset and had been put in contact with support services.