A Waikato accident in which a Hastings man died yesterday appears to have been an avoidable tragedy, as police have confirmed he was not wearing a setbelt.
The man, 45-year-old Hasim Ali, died when the 4WD he was driving on State Highway 1 south of Putaruru collided with an oncoming vehicle about 7.15am.
Senior Sergeant Lincoln Sycamore from the Tokoroa police said Mr Ali’s vehicle appeared to have crossed the centre line before the crash.
He was thrown from the vehicle on impact, and ended up a long way from the wreckage.
The 42-year-old woman in the other vehicle, who was wearing a seatbelt, was taken to Waikato Hospital with serious injuries.
Investigations are continuing, but police were looking at both the lack of seatbelt and fatigue as being contributing factors, Mr Sycamore said.
"Drivers and passengers who don't wear restraints are a concern to police because the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt in the event of a crash are extremely serious," he said.
It is understood both vehicles flipped during the crash and firefighters had to cut the injured woman free.
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