Spate of crashes on icy roads

A car skidded on ice damaged the Southern Motorway median barrier before catching fire at about 7...
A car skidded on ice damaged the Southern Motorway median barrier before catching fire at about 7.30am this morning. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Police are urging caution after a spate of early-morning crashes on Dunedin roads caused by icy conditions.

A police spokesman said officers were called to reports of a car on fire in Caversham Valley Rd (SH1) about 7.30am.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand and St John also attended.

All occupants were out of the car on arrival and no injuries were reported.

The lane was blocked until the vehicle was towed.

It appeared that the car crashed into a barrier as a result of ice on the road, the spokesman said.

Emergency services at the scene called for a grit truck to attend.

Another single vehicle crash was reported in the vicinity of the intersection of Buskin Rd and Highcliff Rd about 8am.

The car appeared to have lost traction due to ice and ended up in a ditch.

Police did not attend.

The council was inform and advised they would send a roading team, the spokesman said.

A third single vehicle crash was reported in the Southern Motorway near the Westland St off-ramp at Green Island at 8.45am.

A car appeared to hit a barrier and was possibly stuck on it, the spokesman said.

Police also received a report of a car struggling to get traction in Woodhaugh.

Motorists were urged to drive to the conditions and be careful due to the presence of ice on the roads, the spokesman said.

Many Dunedin streets were affected by ice as temperatures plummeted across the city. 

Mosgiel was the country's coldest spot this morning, measuring a chilly -4.9degC. 

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency has issued a black ice warning on SH1 between Dunedin and Palmerston and on SH85 between Palmerston and Kyeburn.

A warning has also been issued for particularly icy conditions on SH87 between Outram and Middlemarch.

In Southland, Milford Road has reopened but ice and grit on the road means drivers are urged to take care. 

Crown Range Road is open but caution is advised as ice may form on corners. 

 

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