Waikato Police are urging motorists to maintain their situational awareness and reminding them it's only a thin lick of paint separating oncoming vehicles from disaster following a fatal crash between two trucks on Hamilton's eastern outskirts yesterday morning.
District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said the names of two men killed when their trucks collided on SH26, at Newstead about 7.25am, have been released.
They were Hugh Leonard FERGUSON, 61, of Hamilton and Jarrad Malcolm TOWNSEND, 32, of Pyes Pa near Tauranga.
Mr Tooman said the crash was under investigation by both the Serious Crash and the Commercial Vehicle Investigation Units.
"It's early days yet in determining what the cause of the crash was however it appears the west bound truck, being driven by a disqualified driver, has crossed the centreline and collided with the east bound vehicle.
"Both drivers died at the scene while an 18-year-old passenger travelling in the east bound truck was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance suffering from minor injuries."
The deaths of the two men have been reported to the Coroner.
Mr Tooman said yesterday's crash took the Waikato's road toll to 49 at a time when nationally the number of road deaths were declining.
"It also means two families will be without loved ones this Christmas. We want drivers to maintain their attention on the roads. A moment's hesitation can spell disaster for not only that driver but innocent parties as well."
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