NZ Police CommCens Alert 16:00 6-04-2007 Tasman

Location of incident: Blenheim

Incident Type: Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident

Media release

A tragic start to the Easter holiday period

About 9 AM on Friday the 6th of April 2007 a fatal motor vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of Jackson Road and Old Renwick Road, Blenheim

On preliminary investigation it appears a campervan with five occupants was travelling south on Jacksons Road. At the intersection has failed to stop at the stop sign colliding with a Hilux Surf motor vehicle containing three occupants. The Hilux was towing a boat travelling West on at the time of collision.

Both vehicles suffered extensive damage with the Hilux catching fire. Several local Blenheim residents came upon the accident.

A number attempted to put out the fire and have extracted three occupants from the burning vehicle.

Emergency services were stretched upon arrival.

The body of a 23 year old European male was recovered at the scene.

Three ambulances and two rescue helicopter were utilised.

The remaining seven occupants of both vehicles all required medical treatment and hospitalisation. Three have been flown to Wellington hospital and are described as being in critical condition.

Responding fire units put out the fire and assisted Police with extraction of the remaining occupants and scene preservation.

A Police serious crash investigator is still at the scene completing his examination.

Detective Gavin Nichols is the officer in charge and is coordinating the Police investigation.

The family of the deceased is yet to be notified

Police greatly appreciate this efforts of all involved and acknowledge the heroic civilians involved in extracting the occupants from the burning vehicle saved further injury and probably lives

ends

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