Gas tanker crash ‘not irregular’

Press, 18 June 1982, Page 1

Gas tanker crash ‘not irregular’

Wellington reporter

There was apparently nothing unlawful or irregular in the events leading to the L.P.G. tanker accident on the Evans Pass road, near Sumner, on June 11, said the Minister of Transport (Mr Gair) yesterday. He had been asked bj’ the member of Parliament for Lyttelton, Mrs Ann Hercus, to set up an inquiry, into the incident.

In a reply to Mrs Hercus yestersday, Mr Gair said that because there was no serious injury or damage to property, an inquiry would.not automatically follow. However, “the present situation is not satisfactory,” he said.

He had asked departmental officials to prepare a case for presentation by him to the Canterbury United

Council, local authorities, and other departments concerned. to try to establish a procedure meeting the principal needs of all parties. There was a long, complicated, and rather disputed background between departments and local authorities on the best method of carrying L.P.G. from Lyttelton to Christchurch. Mr Gair said.

Mrs Hercus said yesterday that she was pleased her request for an in-depth investigation had been agreed to. But because this would take time, the Minister should instruct carriers of L.P.G. to stop using the Evans Pass route.

“I do not accept that the route used by the tanker over the Evans Pass route was nothing irregular, as the Minister’s advisers appear to have told him.” Mrs Hercus said.