DRIVER FATIGUE, FIRE
Senior Constable Aaron Tapp from the Canterbury Serious Crash Unit who investigated the crash found that the campervan was travelling at no less than 91kmh when it crashed into the guard rail barrier. The speed limit is 100kmh.
There was also no evidence to suggest that the vehicle had braked before the crash happened. No mechanical faults were identified when the campervan was tested.
The campervan was also in good condition, with cooking and sleeping space at the back, and three seats in the front with seatbelts.
Investigations revealed it was likely that fatigue was a cause of the crash, which occurred between midnight and 8am. This time frame is considered a “biological risk factor” for fatigue, noted Mr Tapp.
Additional indicators suggesting fatigue were identified as the crash involving a single vehicle on a straight segment of road, and the van leaving the road at a shallow angle without taking emergency action, such as braking or correcting.
Mr Tapp also noted that it was possible that the others in the vehicle may have been sleeping, while Lim had been awake for more than 12 hours due to the time of the crash.
According to investigations by Fire and Emergency New Zealand, all of the campervan’s doors were closed when emergency services arrived. Due to the fire damage, it was not known whether any of the doors were locked when the crash took place.
Investigations found that a house battery near the wheel arch, which powered the living area of the campervan, was the likely cause of the fire after it was displaced as the vehicle collided with the road safety barrier.
The fire damage indicated that the fire started on or at floor level, in front of the wheel arch in the rear of the van and spread into the engine compartment.
CAUSE OF DEATHS
Post-mortem examinations revealed extensive charring on all three bodies and found that the deaths were caused by the effects of the inhalation of smoke and fumes in an enclosed space, said the coroner.
While Mr Lim suffered from bleeding between his brain and skull, and minor bruises to his lung, he did not have any fatal impact injuries. Ms Chong and Ms Yang did not have any life-threatening impact injuries.
Their blood tests for drugs and alcohol were also negative.
Mr Tapp said it was highly likely that the three individuals would have survived the crash had the campervan not caught fire.
The coroner noted that it was possible that the campervan doors were too difficult to open once it tipped onto its side, even though the evidence did not explain why the victims could not get out of the campervan after it crashed, as Ms Yang was able to make an emergency call.
The coroner added that the accident occurred late at night on a road in a rural area, with no bystanders present.
The emergency call taker also told Yang that emergency services were on their way within a very short time of her saying that a fire had broken out.
The coroner said that, given the remote location, it was not possible for an emergency vehicle to arrive in time to rescue anyone from the campervan before it caught fire or to contain the fire once it began.
“This tragic accident illustrates the importance of not driving when fatigued. All drivers, and particularly those who are planning road trips around New Zealand, must ensure that their itineraries allow sufficient time for rest and sleep so that they are not driving tired,” said the coroner.
