Woman dies in crash on SH1

A woman died and four people were seriously injured  in  a two-car collision north of Dunedin yesterday.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash on State Highway 1, about 5km south of Waikouaiti, after reports of two cars colliding about 3.30pm.

A rescue helicopter lands at the scene of a fatal two-car collision just south of Waikouaiti...
A rescue helicopter lands at the scene of a fatal two-car collision just south of Waikouaiti yesterday. Photo: Gregor Richardson.

The wreckage of both cars — a silver 1997 Nissan Bluebird and a silver 1999 Nissan Bluebird — lay on the northbound side of the road, one of them in a ditch.

The serious crash unit is investigating and police would not be drawn last night on the cause of the crash.

One person, understood to be a woman, died at the scene. Two others were taken to Dunedin Hospital by Otago Regional Rescue helicopters with critical injuries, a St John spokesman said. Two others were taken by ambulance in a serious condition.

Further details on the  condition of the injured,  their age and gender were unavailable last night.

Conditions in the area were treacherous, with visibility low, roads wet and drizzle constant at the time of the crash.

A police spokeswoman said police were unable to provide details of the crash last night as officers worked to piece the incident together.

The wreckage of both cars, a silver 1997 Nissan Bluebird and a silver 1999 Nissan Bluebird, lay on the northbound side of the road, one of them in a ditch. Photo: Supplied
The wreckage of both cars, a silver 1997 Nissan Bluebird and a silver 1999 Nissan Bluebird. Photo: Supplied

"Two cars collided at approximately 3:30pm this afternoon.

"One person has died at the scene," police said.

The serious crash unit was investigating the collision and the road remained closed for several hours as they carried out inquiries.

The road reopened shortly before 9pm. Police urged motorists to take care in the wet weather and watch following distances and speed.

Immediately following the crash, northbound traffic was backed up about 500m as locals attempted to redirect motorists and detour vehicles via Apes Rd.

A Fire Service spokesman said firefighters from Palmerston and Waikouaiti attended the crash and were needed to free two people from the mangled vehicles.

It was unclear which vehicle the people were trapped in, but it appeared they were freed from the same car, he said.

No updates of the conditions of the survivors were available last night.

A Fire Service spokesman said firefighters from Palmerston and Waikouaiti attended the crash and were needed to free two people from the mangled vehicles. Photo: Supplied
A Fire Service spokesman said firefighters from Palmerston and Waikouaiti attended the crash and were needed to free two people from the mangled vehicles. Photo: Supplied

timothy.brown@odt.co.nz

 

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