One fatality following single vehicle crash near Mt Cook

Emergency services were alerted at around 2am this morning to a single vehicle crash on the Tasman Valley Road.

Senior Constable Les Andrew says there were three female New Zealanders in the vehicle at the time of the crash. “One of the occupants, aged 19, was flown by Westpac Helicopter to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition with facial and leg injuries. Another occupant, aged 21, was also in a serious condition at the scene with suspected spinal injuries and has been taken to Christchurch Hospital by Westpac Helicopter. The third occupant, aged 18, has been confirmed as deceased at the scene.”

The death has been referred to the Coroner. No further details of the deceased will be released until formal identification and the process to inform next of kin has been completed.

“The three occupants of the black Toyota hatchback are understood to have been employed in Mt Cook with at least one working at the Hermitage Hotel. The weather conditions were relatively mild in the area overnight with good road conditions” explained Senior Constable Andrew.

“The Toyota has left the road at a slight bend and has rolled. The Tasman Valley Road has reopened after Canterbury Police Serious Crash Unit completed a scene examination earlier this morning. The ongoing Police investigation will determine the cause of the crash but it is possible that the driver was distracted or was fatigued at the time of the crash.”

Unfortunately due to operational commitments in relation to this investigation Senior Constable Andrew is unavailable to verbalise this release.

A further update will be provided over the coming days.

ENDS

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