Hawera Police are urgently appealing for witnesses to come forward after a 57-year-old woman was struck by an oncoming vehicle as she removed metal fencing frames which were blocking the southbound lane of State Highway 3, Normanby, on Saturday 2nd of August, 2014.
Police believe the woman had stopped her car and put her hazard lights on before attempting to move the metal frames that had been moved from the footpath and placed across the highway by unknown individual/s when she was struck by a northbound vehicle at about 11:50pm. Emergency services attended but the woman died at the scene.
The fencing frames were part of cable work being undertaken in the area on footpaths.
Police have now informed the woman's next of kin and can release her name.
She was Christine Anne Fairweather of Hawera.
Detective Guy Jackson of the Taranaki CIB says: "Mrs Fairweather was being a good Samaritan and went to move the frames which had stupidly been put in the middle of a major highway. However, due to the atrocious weather and heavy rain a northbound vehicle has struck her. The driver of this vehicle is understandably traumatised from the crash and we are continuing to speak to them."
"We are continuing to make inquiries and speak to witnesses and we want to speak to anyone who either stopped at the scene at the time of the crash or who may have seen the barriers being placed on the road.
"If anyone saw any suspicious behaviour or something just out of the ordinary in the area please contact police. I also want to take this opportunity to encourage those who put the barriers on the road to do the right thing and come forward," says Detective Jackson.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Guy Jackson on (06) 215 5263. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.