Dipton, Southland: Vehicle Crash

At about 10.20pm on Sunday the 24th February 2013 there was an incident reported on the Lumsden-Dipton Highway, State Highway 6 near Dipton.

A northbound Mitsubishi vehicle came across a second vehicle stopped on the opposite side of the road. It had its headlights on. There were no other indicators or hazard lights on the vehicle. As the Mitsubishi went north at approximately 70km/h, a passenger is believed to have been outside the parked vehicle he had been travelling in due to feeling ill. The passenger went out onto the road and was hit by the Mitsubishi.

The driver of the Mitsubishi vehicle was aged 19 years old and had not been drinking alcohol. The other vehicle had six occupants including the driver.

Emergency services attended the scene including First Response, Fire Brigade and Lumsden Police. The passenger was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a critical condition.

This occurred in a 100km/h speed zone area in good weather however there was no street lighting.

The scene is being examined today by Police staff and the Mitsubishi vehicle has been retained for inspection.

The passenger is believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time and was wearing dark clothing.

The person hit is a 33 year old male from Invercargill. He is believed to be still in the Intensive Care Unit at Dunedin Hospital with multiple injuries and fractures.

The investigation is continuing.

ENDS

© Scoop Media