Seatbelts would have saved three young Roxburgh men from receiving serious injuries when the car they were travelling in smashed into a bank at Roxburgh East on Saturday, according to police.
Constable Craig Bennett, of Roxburgh, said the men aged 25, 23, and 21, were travelling in a vehicle owned by the driver, when he failed to safely negotiate a corner and crashed into a large bank.
The driver and his front seat passenger were both sent flying into the front windscreen, while the back seat passenger was tossed around the rear of the car when the crash occurred about 1am.
One man received head injuries and a dislocated and broken shoulder, while another received extensive lacerations to his face.
Both were flown by helicopter to Dunedin Hospital where they underwent surgery before being discharged on Saturday evening.
All three men were yesterday back at home in Roxburgh.
Const Bennett said none were wearing seatbelts when the crash occurred, and it was likely the driver would face charges relating to the incident.
"We are awaiting results of blood-alcohol analysis.
"At this stage it is unsure whether alcohol was a factor.
"It's not believed to be a factor," he said.
Police ruled out speed as a contributing factor, and said it was wet and dark when the crash occurred.
"They are familiar with the road.
"It's just been an error in driver judgement," Const Bennett said.
He urged people to be vigilant about wearing seatbelts, especially at this time of year.
"The occupants would have only sustained minor injuries had they been wearing seatbelts, because it was a low-speed impact," he said.
Const Bennett said the vehicle was left at the crash scene on Woodhouse Rd in Roxburgh East at the owner's request.
"Some person of low moral standard has entered the vehicle overnight and removed all the stereo equipment, CDs, and speakers," he said.
Police were following some "reasonable leads" but would like to hear from anyone who saw a vehicle in the area on Saturday evening from about 7pm onwards.
Const Bennett said the stolen equipment was worth about $2500 and belonged to the owner and driver of the vehicle.
