Third Morrinsville cyclist dies in hospital overnight
18 November 2010
A woman critically injured after a group of cyclist she was riding with was struck by a car near Morrinsville on Sunday
has died this morning in Waikato Hospital.
Kay Heather WOLFE, 45, of Gordonton had been one of 10 cyclists from the Morrinsville Wheelers Cycling Club travelling
in a group along the Morrinsville-Walton Rd when a car driven by a 23-year-old woman crossed the centreline on a corner
and crashed into the group.
Two male cyclists, Mark Andrew Ferguson, 46, and Wilhelm Muller, 71, died at the scene while Ms WOLFE suffered critical
injuries and was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance.
A fourth cyclist suffered minor injuries while the driver was also taken to hospital for treatment.
Acting Waikato Road Policing Manager, Senior sergeant Jeff Penno, said Ms WOLFE'S death meant Sunday's crash was the
second three person fatality incident in the Waikato this year, the first being the loss of three young people on SH2 at
Maramarua on 7 September.
"We've also had four double fatalities and people will be aware that the Waikato has suffered seven deaths resulting
from crashes over five days.
"The types of crashes over those days have covered a wide spectrum of victims from cyclists to motorbike riders, a truck
driver and occupants of cars, but some common factors have emerged with speed, driver inexperience and alcohol all
factors. The reality is we now have seven families who will have loved ones missing this Christmas."
Mr Penno said a number of strategies were in place to ensure a highly visible Police presence on Waikato roads this
summer but enforcement was only part of the solution.
"We need the public to say enough is enough, we need attitudinal change in regards to complying with basic road rules
such as watching your speed, keep to the left, avoid alcohol and drugs and stick to the conditions of your graduated
driver licences.
End