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A fatal triple head-on collision in Southland could have been prevented if the driver of one of the cars had stayed in her own lane, a coroner found.
Jesse and Samantha Shortland, both 28, and German tourist Marina Liebl, 22, were killed in an accident on State Highway 6, the Dipton-Winton Highway, on October 8, 2017, around 9.40pm.
The Shortlands’ children, their 8-month-old daughter Skylar and 2-year-old son Heath, survived the accident with minor to moderate injuries.
In his findings published Wednesday, Dunedin Coroner David Robinson said the cause of the collision was due to Liebl’s car having got into the lane of the oncoming Shortlands car.
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Fatigue is also likely a major factor, as both Liebl and Jesse Shortland had covered significant distances that day, Robinson said.
The Shortlands were returning to Invercargill after Jesse’s father’s funeral in Hokitika.
The family began the journey home around 12:30 pm on October 8.
Jesse Shortland’s aunt, former NZ First MP Ria Bond, had also attended the funeral and was meant to be in the car, but changed her plans.
Before the family left, Bond had talked to Jesse about the need to stop if he was tired, Robinson said.
Kavinda Herath / Things
10082016. News.Kavinda Herath. Southland Times / Stuff-The scene of the fatal accident in Dipton in October 2017.
On the morning of October 8, Liebl rented a car in Queenstown for 24 hours.
She filled out a “Safe Driving” form, acknowledging her familiarity with New Zealand road regulations and that she felt well prepared to drive on the roads here.
Liebl also acknowledged that this would be his first time driving on the left side of the road.
Robinson said he believed the driving evaluation form was “totally inappropriate.”
“There is no effective assessment of a person’s ability to drive in New Zealand or their knowledge of traffic rules.”
Liebl traveled from Queenstown to the Catlins and intended to return to Queenstown that night.
Grant Burney, who helped Liebl refuel his car at a Papatowai gas station, suggested that he stay in Invercargill, as it was a long way to travel at night.
Burney wasn’t sure if she understood because of language difficulties, Robinson said.
Dipton, victim of the Southland accident, 22-year-old German Navy Liebl. She, Jesse and Samantha Shortland were killed when the car she was driving and the couple’s car crashed head-on on October 8.
“Both drivers were taking long trips that, in my opinion, are not suitable to do in a single day.”
Robinson found that both drivers were traveling at excessive speeds and fatigue likely played a major factor in the accident.
It concluded that the deaths were accidental.
In his recommendations, Robinson encouraged car rental companies to consider introducing some qualitative assessment into the process to determine whether to rent a vehicle to a foreign driver.
On Wednesday, Bond said the coroner’s report had provided him with closure.
It had been very difficult for her, especially since she had been blamed for not bringing the family back to Invercargill, she said.
“That was a huge burden for me, so it has given me closure, emotionally. That it wasn’t because Jesse had been so tired and shocked, that there was a reason. “
The coroner’s report brought back feelings of utter and utter disbelief, but Bond was not surprised by the findings.
“The impact of the tragedy has been devastating for all the families involved, including that of Ms. Liebl’s family in Germany, with whom family members have remained in contact.”
Bond said that from his perspective it seemed natural to forgive the family.
At the crash site, there was a cross for Liebl, as well as Shortland’s, all of whom were well cared for.
Shortland’s children, Heath and Skylar, were raised by Samantha’s parents and sister, and they were reminded of their parents every day, Bond said.
“As a parent, I really feel for Samie’s mom, dad, and sister, who are taking care of the children of all accounts in an excellent way.”
During Bond’s time in parliament, Bond had in his name the Land Transport Amendment Bill (Tourist Driver Rental Vehicle), which would require rental companies to add more safety parameters to their procedures.
“It is quite bittersweet that the same Bill who was sitting at the polls was the reason my nephew and niece were killed.”
He expected the government to pass a similar bill because of the findings.
