Coroner calls for reinstatement of shelved SH1 safety work

A coroner has recommended the reinstatement of shelved safety improvements on State Highway 1 south of Timaru after finding a degraded road surface contributed to a 2018 fatal crash. Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame found that the northbound left lane near Pareora was in a poor state due to 'excessive tar bleed', which created a slippery, 'flushed' surface when wet. This condition contributed to the death of 31-year-old Kellyanne Cindal Pattinson, who died at the scene when a northbound Bidfood delivery truck collided with her car.

On 17 January 2018, the truck, driven by Andrew Brown, rounded a bend at approximately 85km/h to 87km/h before sliding 68.6m across three lanes. The coroner found no evidence of driver fault, noting that police had ruled out alcohol and excessive speed. Both drivers attempted to avoid the collision, and both vehicles were found to be roadworthy.

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) was aware of safety risks at the site, as five loss-of-control crashes had occurred within 250m of the location between 2012 and 2017. Although a contractor had noted a loss of texture in the northbound lane a month before the crash, NZTA's only pre-crash intervention was the installation of a 'slippery when wet' sign. The coroner stated these measures were not adequate to ensure public safety.

A $30m safety project intended to install continuous median barriers was scrapped in November 2024 to align with government priorities. NZTA confirmed to the court that there are currently no committed works or funding allocated to reinstate the project. Coroner Cunninghame recommended that NZTA implement the full safety suite, including median barriers and intersection upgrades, to prevent further deaths.

Where reports differ

• Reports differ on the specific speed of the truck, with some stating 85km/h and others stating 85km/h to 87km/h.

Compiled from reports by The Press, NZ Herald, 1News, RNZ and Stuff.