A well-known Greymouth woman died in a four-vehicle pile-up near Rolleston yesterday afternoon.
Three cars and a stock truck were involved in the 4.55pm crash, in which Therese Maureen Smith, 68, was trapped for about 30 minutes. She died at the scene.
Mrs Smith was the driver and sole occupant of a car that was travelling south behind a stock truck and trailer when her vehicle was struck by a northbound car that had collided with a vehicle in front of her, police said.
The driver and passenger of one car suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Christchurch Hospital.
The driver and passenger in another car and the driver of the stock truck were all unharmed.
Mrs Smith's family issued a statement saying the sudden death of a friend or family member was very hard to come to terms with.
"We have lost our mum in tragic circumstances and as a family we are pulling together to support each other at this very sad time," they said.
They intended to hold a funeral where family and friends could come together and pay their respects to their much-loved mum.
They also thanked emergency services, particularly those who were first on the scene, for their support.
By Viv Logie of the Greymouth Star
