Title: Saudi name release

Arrangements are currently underway to return the body of a man killed in a vehicle accident in the Waikato on Monday to his family in Saudi Arabia.

The death of English language student, Saleh Adels FAIDAH, 21, has been referred to the Coroner. Mr FAIDAH died from head injuries suffered after being thrown from a van as it rolled in a crash on SH2 near Waihi.

Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said it had been established by crash investigators Mr FAIDAH was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

"Once again we see an avoidable tragedy on Waikato roads in which a person unrestrained is thrown from a vehicle while the other occupants who were restrained survived.

"Tragically Mr FAIDAH is the seventh person to die on Waikato roads this year, thrown from their vehicle while not wearing a seatbelt as such Waikato Police have adopted a zero tolerance approach in relation to seatbelt compliance he said.

Steps are currently underway between Police, the Coroner and the Auckland based Saudi Consulate to return Mr FAIDAH'S home to his family as quickly as possible.

While the crash investigation was continuing Mr Tooman said it was fair to say charges against the French driver of the van were likely.

There were eight people in the van at the time of the crash including four French nationals, two Germans, a Spaniard and one Saudi (Mr FAIDAH).

A Spanish male remains in a serious condition in Tauranga Hospital's Intensive Care Unit today while the remaining six students have returned to Auckland.

Police are working with the various embassies and translators as they work through establishing just what caused Monday's crash.

ENDS

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