High-speed Dunedin crash leaves four injured

Three teenage boys and a 21-year woman are lucky to be alive after their vehicle went out of control on Signal Hill Rd early yesterday morning.

The crash was so severe it took emergency services an hour to cut one of the occupants from the mangled wreckage of the car.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 3am, following reports a car had crashed on the Opoho street, trapping its occupants.

All three had to be cut from the Mitsubishi Galant.

Acting Senior Sergeant Chris McLennan said two 19-year-old males, an 18-year-old male and a 21-year-old woman were taken to Dunedin Hospital with moderate injuries.

"They are very lucky young people."

The driver and a male passenger remained in hospital yesterday, one with serious facial injuries, while the woman and other male passenger were released.

Acting Snr Sgt McLennan confirmed passengers had been drinking at the time of the accident, and alcohol was found in the car.

Blood samples had been taken from the 19-year-old driver to determine if alcohol was a factor in the crash, he said.

It appeared the driver had lost control on a straight section of road and the vehicle collided with a hedge, fence, lamppost, and garage.

Speed was factor in the accident. Initial inquiries indicated the car may have been travelling at twice the 50kmh speed limit.

Charges were likely, he said.

A serious crash unit from Alexandra examined the scene, as Dunedin personnel were busy with another incident.

The area was cordoned of until 9am, as council contractors worked to replaced the damaged lamppost.