Or Eliyahu Ben-David (22) and another Israeli, who was travelling ahead of him in another car, had been visiting Cannibal Bay, near Owaka, and were driving towards Balclutha when the crash happened about 8.50pm.
Two carloads of Telford students, following closely behind, were the first on the scene.
Sergeant Martin Bull, of Balclutha, said police had asked Interpol and the Israeli Embassy for help to track down Mr Ben-David's immediate family.
The students are thought to be aged between 16 and 18 years. Two them were in a serious condition in Dunedin Hospital yesterday and three others are listed as being stable.
A serious crash unit analyst visited the scene yesterday morning to map the scene.
"Although the cause of the crash has not yet been determined, it appears as though the deceased's vehicle has been in the opposing lane," Sgt Bull said.
It is understood at this stage speed and alcohol were not factors in the accident.
One of the injured students was thrown forward from the back seat on impact. It is thought she was not wearing a seatbelt.
Sgt Bull said police were appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
The five women were all equine students at Telford Rural Polytechnic and lived on campus less than 500m from the crash scene.
Telford chief executive Jonathan Walmisley said the group of 18 equine students were very close and the crash had hit fellow students hard.
"There are 18 of them and to suddenly have five of them whisked away is quite a shock."
But he said the entire staff and student faculty were in great shock but helping each other cope with the aftermath.
Two carloads of Telford students, travelling behind, came across the crash moments after it happened. They had spoken to police and were receiving counselling.
Mr Walmisley praised the efforts of Victim Support staff who met students on Thursday night and again offered any help to them yesterday. More staff would be assigned to the student hostel over the weekend if they still need some support.
"But, in reality, we are trying, as much as possible, to get about life as normally as we can."
Mr Walmisley spent much of yesterday picking up the parents of the injured students and arranging accommodation in Dunedin so they can be close to the city hospital. These costs would be met by Telford and Mr Walmisley said this would be reassessed on Monday and would depend on their needs.
