Central Otago man dies, 10 hurt in crash

A Central Otago man has died and 10 people are injured after a collision between a 4WD and a small tourist bus near Roxburgh, police say.

Police were alerted to the crash on State Highway 8, near Eliott Rd just north of the Roxburgh Dam, at 1.52pm on Wednesday.

Emergency services, including two rescue helicopters and two ambulances, were sent to the scene about 10km from Roxburgh.

Police said the man killed was the only person in the four-wheel drive. His name would not be released until next-of-kin were informed.

The crash involved a small tourist bus and a four-wheel drive. Photo: supplied
The crash involved a small tourist bus and a four-wheel drive. Photo: supplied
The small tourist bus had been travelling from Dunedin to Queenstown and had 10 passengers on board.

Four injured passengers were flown to Dunedin Hospital by rescue helicopter and all remained in a serious condition on Wednesday night, police said. 

Six others with minor injuries were taken to Roxburgh Medical Centre.

Police said they would like to thank members of the public who were first at the scene, and who did a "fantastic job" helping the injured until emergency services arrived.

The cause of the crash was being investigated.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said part of State Highway 8 (Roxburgh to Raes Junction) was closed for a time, causing delays for road users.

However, both lanes had opened again by 7pm on Wednesday.

Emergency services attend a collision between a tourist bus and a truck on State Highway 8, near Roxburgh Dam. Photo: Jono Edwards
The accident happened on State Highway 8 near the Roxburgh Dam. Photo: Jono Edwards

 

 

 

 

 

 

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