Names released Te Kowhai double fatals

Speed and not wearing seatbelts appear to be major contributing factors in a double fatality crash on the outskirts of Hamilton on Thursday night.

Acting Waikato Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Jeff Penno, said two men, John Wayne EDWARDS, 26, of Hamilton and Hadleigh Brendon ROBINSON, 21, of Te Kowhai, lost their lives when the southbound car Mr EDWARDS was driving, crossed the centreline into the path of a northbound utility on SH39 about 6.30pm.

"The crash is still under investigation by the Serious Crash Unit but initial indications are the speed the vehicle was travelling at in the wet conditions played a major factor in the crash. Neither man was wearing a seatbelt which contributed to their non-survivable injuries.

"Their deaths took the Waikato's road toll to 29, the same number for the same period last year. Disturbing for Police is that 11 people died last year in crashes while not wearing seatbelts and eight have lost their lives in similar circumstances this year."

Mr Penno said while it was hard to say how many people would have survived had they been wearing their restraints making seatbelts click is a proven, basic safety measure Police implore all road users to take.