Fatal 4wd accident on Maungatapu Track (28 October)

[NordieBoy]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3007...under-scrutiny

Looks like it's half way down the bit from the bridge and he's caught the front wheel in that rain rut and it's pulled the steering around.

[Padmei]

Yeah terrible. Is that just before the bridge on this side where its really slippery moving rocks? I've nearly come to greif there - didn't want to look over the side.

[johannvr]

Not good. Have also had a mishap with a 4WD before on an off-road track - it happens easily & sometimes without "intent" or intentional mismanagement. End of the day - it's an accident, and those happen. Would be sad if it has a negative knock-on again around offroad-type stuff (read Adv biking, quad biking et al)

[NordieBoy]

Yeah terrible. Is that just before the bridge on this side where its really slippery moving rocks? I've nearly come to greif there - didn't want to look over the side.

Yep. just past the left hander and 1/3 of the way to the right at the bottom. There used to be a mother of a rain rut/washout there and I've seen a ute parked there with the left front wheel hanging right out over the bank. The rut starts parallel and curvs off to the left and could just grab the wheel and pull it over if you're going the right speed.

[CookMySock]

Aw shit it was just a kid. My kids are all tucked up tight here.. I checked..

Steve.

[NordieBoy]

The track still has a rope up at the Nelson end saying it's closed and a permanent looking post and professional looking reflective sign saying the "Maumgatapu" track is closed at the Pelorus end.

[Monstaman]

Typical knee jerk reaction again, they should see sensibility, you don't see them closing the main road with posts and tape because someone killed them self on the road!

If they did that you would be able to drive out your gate.

[thommo77]

Don't quote me on this,but, Ive heard the reason it is closed is nothing to do with the death.
Its because 4WD's have dug up the track so much that they have damaged some fibre optic cables????

[warewolf]

Maungatapu Track closed to assess damage - Nelson City Council

[JATZ]

Don't quote me on this,but, Ive heard the reason it is closed is nothing to do with the death.
Its because 4WD's have dug up the track so much that they have damaged some fibre optic cables????

Thats the reason I got too, came straight from the neighbours friend who walks the dog of a guy who's sister runs the cafe @ Pelorous

[Monstaman]

Thats the reason I got too, came straight from the neighbours friend who walks the dog of a guy who's sister runs the cafe @ Pelorous

Must be true now that I read it on the net!!

[warewolf]

I've been in contact with Nelson City Council. The track is closed until they sort out who will pay for its upkeep. Stay tuned for more news after a meeting of the interested parties this Friday.

Upkeep? We don't need no steekin' upkeep!

[Padmei]

More like upkeep - what upkeep?

[CrazyFrog]

Wow, they've even postponed the Mangatapu mountain bike race until June because of track closure.
Come on NCC, how much damage would a few lycra clad treadlie bikers do? Pretty lame excuse I say. Just ban 4wd'ers and open it up for bikes only. We could even do our own special maintenance, build a few little kickers here and there

[Crisis management]

Interesting......having been through there on tuesday, it didn't seem too damaged to me.

I approached the Council offices for permision to access the Mangatapu track and was granted it subject to the (dam?) caretaker agreeing, he rides bikes as well so was almost enthusiastic! I had a pleasant wander through and can safely say it looked in good condition to me. Access from the other end is barely controlled at all with only a small sign saying the track was closed.
The reason for the closure given to me, was that it was due to the fatal accident and the ongoing investigations into that, and, as Colin says, there is a meeting today to make some substantive decision about it.