Double fatality adds to horror month on roads

Seven people died on Otago and Southland roads in January marking a bleak start to 2020.

The month ended with three deaths on January 30.

Two people died in a single vehicle crash on State Highway 6 near Weka St, Makarora, between Wanaka and Haast, about 10.20pm.

Police said two people died at the scene and two others were taken to Dunstan Hospital with minor and moderate injuries.

The crash occurred after a blue car left the road and went between two pine trees and crashed into another.

The Otago Daily Times spoke to one Makarora resident, who did not wish to be named, who said the pair were tourists and the section of road the vehicle left had been resealed earlier in the day.

The road reopened about 3.25pm with speed restrictions in place while the police Serious Crash Unit concluded investigations at the scene.

Earlier on Thursday, one person died and another was injured after a vehicle dropped 50m down a steep bank on a remote 4WD track in Macetown near Arrowtown shortly after noon.

Police have yet to release further details about the three people killed.

On January 26, Shaun Hattrill (21) and Nicola Henare (19) died in a single-vehicle crash south of Mataura on State Highway 1.

The crash, shortly after 5pm injured two others — one seriously, and one moderately.

In Invercargill on January 15, Selwyn John Gibson (77) died when his car and a truck collided in Dee St just before 1pm.

Queenstown woman Noelene Margaret Tait (84) died on January 14 in a crash involving two cars and a motorcycle in Frankton Rd near the intersection with Hensman Rd.