Man injured in crash making good progress

One person remains in hospital after being injured in a crash in the Hakataramea Valley last month.

A 25-year-old man remains in Christchurch Hospital, seriously injured after the seven-seater Toyota Land Cruiser crashed off Hakataramea Valley Rd and rolled several times into a paddock. None of the occupants were wearing seatbelts.

Kurow premier rugby coach, and spokesman for the victims, Kevin Malcolm said the 25-year-old was making ''very good progress'' in Christchurch Hospital.

''His final outcome will be some months away, I think, as to how full a recovery he will make, but it's going along really nicely,'' Mr Malcolm said.

Another passenger, Jarrad Ethan Blackler (23), of Danseys Pass, died in Dunedin Hospital on May 12. He never regained consciousness after the crash.

The 39-year-old driver and other passengers - a male and a female both aged 22 and a 38-year-old - had all been discharged from hospital and were recovering at home.

''One of them may come back [to play rugby] later in the year,'' Mr Malcolm said.

''One had a spinal injury, but ... he'll be OK. The young girl is progressing, but it's all going to be pretty slow, really.''

The Kurow Rugby Club had been well supported following the crash and the premier team had played well since, with narrow losses to Excelsior (33-24) and Athletic Marist (40-37).

''It's still really affecting the team, but we're trying to get on, fill the hole as much as [we] can as players and as people,'' he said.

''It's going to take a long time to adjust, but we're trying to push on as much as possible.''

The crash is still being investigated by police, who were unable to provide an update on the investigation yesterday.

''That's where we're at - just letting the police take their investigation so we can either all learn something from it or help limit the chances of it again,'' Mr Malcolm said.

rebecca.ryan@odt.co.nz

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